SCOTLAND

Departmental Billing

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what proportion of invoices submitted to his Department have been paid within 10 days in each month since October 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Ann McKechin: The following table shows the volume of invoices received by the Scotland Office and the percentage of invoices paid within 10 days. Figures prior to November 2008 are not available.
	
		
			  Month  Volume  Percentage paid within 10 days 
			  2008   
			 November 218 89.4 
			 December 220 96.8 
			
			  2009   
			 January 190 100 
			 February 211 99.5 
			 March 306 99.7 
			 April 211 99.1 
			 May 220 98.6 
			 June 289 97.9 
			 July 255 100 
			 August 164 98.8 
			 September 229 98.7 
			 October 252 100 
			 November 253 100

Departmental Pay

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff in his Department received bonus payments in each of the last five years for which information is available; what proportion of his Department's workforce they represented in each year; what the total amount of bonuses paid was in each year; what the largest single payment was; and if he will make a statement.

Ann McKechin: All staff in the Scotland Office are on secondment from the Scottish Executive or the Ministry of Justice. Staff may be eligible for non-consolidated performance payments in different ways. Firstly, through end of year performance payments under their parent bodies' performance management arrangements. The Scotland Office does not itself make the end of year awards and does not hold information centrally on end of year non-consolidated performance payments made to its secondees.
	Secondly under the Special Bonus Scheme of the Scottish Executive and the Reward and Recognition Scheme of the MoJ, the Office may directly authorise non-consolidated performance payments (or in the case of the MoJ scheme, small and instantaneous awards, e.g. vouchers) in recognition of special effort, achievement and commitment. The following table shows the number and cost of non-pensionable payments made under these schemes:
	
		
			  Financial year  Total number of payments  Total cost of payments (£)  Percentage work force  Percentage pay bill 
			 2004-05 3 1,400 5 0.06 
			 2005-06 8 3,750 17 0.19 
			 2006-07 17 4,750 32 0.25 
			 2007-08 6 2,150 11 0.09 
			 2008-09 8 2,900 14 0.12 
		
	
	The largest single payment under these schemes was £750.
	Members of the senior civil service in the Scotland Office are seconded from the Scottish Executive and the Ministry of Justice, their non-consolidated performance payments are assessed under a framework set by the Cabinet Office. The Office does not hold central information on such payments.

Departmental Pay

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much funding his Department has allocated for  (a) year-end and  (b) in-year bonuses for its staff in 2009-10.

Ann McKechin: The salary budget of the Scotland Office for 2009-10 is £2,847,000, of which non-consolidated performance payments represent an estimated 0.01 per cent.
	The non-consolidated performance payments are an integral element of the reward package for staff, have to be re-earned each year and do not add to future pay bill costs (e.g. pensions). The Scotland Office believe that performance payments help drive high performance in the office.

Hotels

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hotel room nights were booked by officials in his Department in each year since 2007; and how much his Department spent on the fees of third party agents in booking hotel accommodation in each of those years.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office does not separately record the number of hotel rooms booked by officials and does not directly pay any fees to third party agents in booking such hotel accommodation.
	All travel and subsistence is conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Ministerial Code, Travel by Ministers and the Civil Service Management Code. All expenditure has be incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Clergy: Misconduct

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what response he has made to the submission by Joe Rice, a solicitor acting on behalf of persons who when children were victims of abuse in Church and state institutions in Northern Ireland requesting that an inquiry be held on the same lines as that recently conducted in the Irish Republic; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: Officials replied to Mr. Rice explaining that the Northern Ireland Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety had written to me about the implications for Northern Ireland of the Ryan Commission report and that I was currently considering the letter and would reply to the Minister in due course.
	I have now done so.

Departmental Fines

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what powers  (a) his Department and  (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) have to impose administrative penalties; what the statutory basis is for each such power; and how much (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies and NDPBs have recovered in administrative penalties in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Paul Goggins: The Northern Ireland Office, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies do not have the power to impose administrative penalties.

Departmental Internet

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent on  (a) strategy and planning,  (b) design and build,  (c) hosting and infrastructure,  (d) content provision and  (e) testing and evaluation for his Department's website in each of the last three years; and what budget has been allocated for each such activity in 2009-10.

Paul Goggins: A review of my Department's website was conducted during the 2006-07 financial year to optimise the site and improve performance and download speeds. This review cost £15,677. In the next two financial years, the Department spent £4,308 and £4,227 respectively on hosting and infrastructure. No other costs were incurred. The total budget allocated for the next financial year is £5,000.

Departmental Internet

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which websites his Department's staff are blocked from accessing from departmental networked computers.

Paul Goggins: The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) runs software to block all categories of websites which do not conform with the NIO Internet Acceptable Usage Policy or would be considered a network security risk. It is not possible to produce a list of the websites as they run into millions globally and come and go every day.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on  (a) alcohol and  (b) entertainment in the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) records expenditure for alcohol and entertainment under the description of either hospitality or catering.
	The NIO, including its arm's length bodies but excluding its agencies and executive NDPBs, spent £189,855 on official hospitality and catering in 2008-09.
	This includes receptions and events held at Hillsborough Castle. These events were attended by 15,287 cross-community representatives from the police and their families, armed forces, business, charity, voluntary and criminal justice sectors across Northern Ireland.
	All expenditure has to be incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what remuneration, including all categories of pay and allowances, has been paid to  (a) the Chairman and  (b) members of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in each year since its inception.

Shaun Woodward: The Chief Commissioner and Commissioners of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission have been paid as follows:
	
		
			  1999-2000 
			   £ 
			 Professor Brice Dickson (Chief Commissioner) 55,000 
			 Professor Christine Bell 8,000 
			 Mrs. Margaret Ann Dinsmore 8,000 
			 Mr. Tom Donnelly 8,000 
			 Reverend Harold Good 8,000 
			 Professor Tom Hadden 8,000 
			 Ms Angela Hegarty 8,000 
			 Ms Patricia Kelly 8,000 
			 Dr. Inez McCormack 8,000 
			 Mr. Frank McGuinness 8,000 
		
	
	
		
			  2000-01 
			   £ 
			 Professor Brice Dickson (Chief Commissioner) 57,475 
			 Professor Christine Bell 8,000 
			 Mrs. Margaret Ann Dinsmore 8,000 
			 Mr. Tom Donnelly 8,000 
			 Reverend Harold Good 8,000 
			 Professor Tom Hadden 8,000 
			 Ms Angela Hegarty 6,000 
			 Ms Patricia Kelly 8,000 
			 Dr. Inez McCormack 8,000 
			 Mr. Frank McGuinness 8,000 
		
	
	
		
			  2001-02 
			   £ 
			 Professor Brice Dickson (Chief Commissioner) 60,128 
			 Professor Christine Bell 8,000 
			 Mrs. Margaret Ann Dinsmore 8,000 
			 Mr. Tom Donnelly 8,000 
			 Reverend Harold Good 8,000 
			 Professor Tom Hadden 8,000 
			 Ms Patricia Kelly 8,000 
			 Dr. Inez McCormack 8,000 
			 Mr. Frank McGuinness 8,000 
			 Lady Christine Eames 2,667 
			 Dr. Christopher McGimpsey 2,667 
			 Mr. Kevin McLaughlin 2,667 
			 Mr. Patrick Yu 2,667 
		
	
	
		
			  2002-03 
			   £ 
			 Professor Brice Dickson (Chief Commissioner) 60,000 
			 Professor Christine Bell 4,397 
			 Mrs. Margaret Ann Dinsmore 10,000 
			 Mr. Tom Donnelly 10,000 
			 Lady Christine Eames 10,000 
			 Reverend Harold Good 10,000 
			 Professor Tom Hadden 10,000 
			 Ms Patricia Kelly 10,000 
			 Dr. Inez McCormack 4,397 
			 Dr. Christopher McGimpsey 10,000 
			 Mr. Frank McGuinness 10,000 
			 Mr. Kevin McLaughlin 10,000 
			 Mr. Patrick Yu 10,000 
		
	
	
		
			  2003-04 
			   £ 
			 Professor Brice Dickson (Chief Commissioner) 70,454 
			 Margaret Ann Dinsmore 10,000 
			 Mr. Tom Donnelly 10,000 
			 Lady Christine Eames 10,000 
			 Reverend Harold Good 9,167 
			 Professor Tom Hadden 10,000 
			 Ms Patricia Kelly 10,000 
			 Dr. Christopher McGimpsey 5,872 
			 Mr. Frank McGuinness 9,167 
			 Mr. Kevin McLaughlin 10,000 
			 Mr. Patrick Yu 2,654 
		
	
	
		
			  2004-05 
			   £ 
			 Professor Brice Dickson (Chief Commissioner) 63,426 
			 Margaret Ann Dinsmore 9,167 
			 Mr. Tom Donnelly 9,167 
			 Lady Christine Eames 10,000 
			 Professor Tom Hadden 9,167 
			 Ms Patricia Kelly 2,500 
			 Mr. Kevin McLaughlin 10,000 
		
	
	
		
			  2005-06 
			   £ 
			 Professor Monica McWilliams (Chief Commissioner) 36,154 
			 Mr. Jonathan Bell 5,833 
			 Mr. Thomas Duncan 5,833 
			 Lady Christine Eames 10,000 
			 Professor Colin Harvey 6,039 
			 Mr. Alan Henry 5,833 
			 Ms Ann Hope 5,833 
			 Mr Eamonn O'Neill 5,833 
			 Ms Geraldine Rice 5,833 
			 Mr. Kevin McLaughlin 10,000 
		
	
	
		
			  2006-07 
			   £ 
			 Professor Monica McWilliams (Chief Commissioner) 61,461 
			 Mr. Jonathan Bell 10,000 
			 Mr. Thomas Duncan 10,000 
			 Lady Christine Eames OBE 10,000 
			 Professor Colin Harvey 10,350 
			 Mr. Alan Henry 10,000 
			 Ms Ann Hope 10,000 
			 Mr. Eamonn O'Neill 10,000 
			 Ms Geraldine Rice MBE 10,000 
			 Mr. Kevin McLaughlin 10,000 
		
	
	
		
			  2007-08 
			   £ 
			 Professor Monica McWilliams (Chief Commissioner) 66,894 
			 Mr. Jonathan Bell 10,000 
			 Mr. Thomas Duncan 10,000 
			 Lady Christine Eames OBE 6,667 
			 Professor Colin Harvey 9,333 
			 Mr. Alan Henry OBE 10,000 
			 Ms Ann Hope 10,000 
			 Mr. Colm Larkin 3,333 
			 Mr. Kevin McLaughlin 6,667 
			 Mr. Eamonn O'Neill 10,000 
			 Ms Geraldine Rice MBE 10,000 
			 Lady Daphne Trimble 3,333 
		
	
	
		
			  2008-00 
			   £ 
			 Professor Monica McWilliams (Chief Commissioner) 72,021 
			 Mr. Jonathan Bell 10,000 
			 Mr. Thomas Duncan 10,000 
			 Professor Colin Harvey 10,000 
			 Mr. Alan Henry OBE 10,000 
			 Ms Ann Hope 10,000 
			 Mr. Colm Larkin 10,000 
			 Mr. Eamonn O'Neill 10,000 
			 Ms Geraldine Rice MBE 10,000 
			 Lady Daphne Trimble 10,000

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many days the Chairman of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) worked for the NIHRC in 2009.

Shaun Woodward: The position of Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is a full-time post.

PRIME MINISTER

Domestic Visits: Wales

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Prime Minister what the  (a) date,  (b) destination and  (c) purpose was of each visit to Wales made by the Prime Minister in each year since May 2005.

Gordon Brown: For my predecessor, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 2 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1385W and the answer of 25 July 2007,  Official Report, columns 1112-14W.
	For my visits as Prime Minister I refer the hon. Member to my written ministerial statements of 22 July 2008,  Official Report, columns 134-04WS and 16 July 2009,  Official Report, column 76WS. A list of my UK visits for 2009-10 will be published in the usual way.

London Summit on Yemen

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Prime Minister whether he has had discussions with President Obama on organisation of the London summit on Yemen.

Gordon Brown: I refer the hon. Member to the press notice issued by my Office on 3 January 2010. A copy is available on the No. 10 website:
	http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page21956

Political Broadcasting

Eric Pickles: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to hold a televised debate with the Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition in his official capacity as Prime Minister.

Gordon Brown: I have accepted in principle the proposal for televised debates between party leaders.

Public Consultation

Grant Shapps: To ask the Prime Minister what citizens' juries or summits he has attended since June 2007; and what the  (a) date and  (b) subject was of each such event.

Gordon Brown: I regularly attend meetings with members of the public to hear their views on a wide variety of subjects.

OLYMPICS

Electric Vehicles

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister for the Olympics whether she plans to allocate funds for the installation of electric car charging points in the construction site of the Olympic village.

Tessa Jowell: The Athletes' Village plans and budget include electric car charging points which will remain after the games as part of London 2012's sustainable legacy.

Olympic Games 2012

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister for the Olympics whether there are plans to mark the previous Olympic Games held in London during the London 2012 Olympics.

Tessa Jowell: The Cultural Olympiad is recognising the legacy of previous Olympics held in the UK through the annual Open Weekend celebrations which mark the countdown to London 2012, and the Inspire programme which recognises non-commercial projects genuinely inspired by 2012.
	For example, the venues of the 1908 and 1948 London Olympic games have been celebrated through various Open Weekend projects including walking tours of the sites of the three London Olympic stadia. In the West Midlands, the 'Museums Keep Moving' Cultural Olympiad Inspire Mark exhibition explores the history and philosophy of the Much Wenlock Olympic games and its role in inspiring Baron Pierre de Coubertin in founding the modern Olympics.
	A number of sporting events were hosted at Stoke Mandeville Stadium as part of the Open Weekend celebrations, recognising Stoke Mandeville's status as the birthplace of the Paralympic games.
	London 2012 and The Royal Mint produced a limited edition IVth Olympiad London Anniversary commemorative £2 coin in 2008 to mark the centenary of the 1908 London Olympic games.

Olympic Games 2012: Finance

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what her most recent estimate is of the cost to the public purse of hosting the London 2012  (a) Olympic and  (b) Paralympic Games.

Tessa Jowell: The public sector funding provision of £9.325 billion for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games that I announced in March 2007 remains unchanged and includes a £66 million contribution towards hosting the Paralympic games. The Olympic and Paralympic games are being hosted by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).
	Detailed financial information is given in the Government Olympic Executive's regular quarterly economic reports, including the anticipated final cost of the Olympic Delivery Authority's programme, the most recent of which was published in November 2009.
	The next financial update will be included in the London 2012 annual report which will be published in February 2010. These reports do not include LOCOG's anticipated final costs as LOGOG is a private company funded almost entirely by private sources.

Olympic Games 2012: Hotels

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister for the Olympics whether she plans to seek to increase the availability of hotel accommodation in London for the duration of the London 2012 Olympics.

Tessa Jowell: "Winning: a tourism strategy for 2012 and beyond", published in September 2007 by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in conjunction with VisitBritain and VisitLondon, identified the challenges to be met in order to maximise the economic benefits for the tourism industry from the London 2012 games. Key strategic aims are to increase the number of UK hotels accredited for quality; and to improve industry awareness of the needs of travellers with disabilities.
	Currently, London has around 100,000 serviced accommodation rooms and recent research by VisitLondon estimates some 12,400 new rooms will open in London by 2012, with another potential 9,500 to be confirmed. VisitLondon will work with London's hotel operators to ensure new developments and upgraded hotels provide accessible accommodation.

Olympic Games 2012: Job Creation

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many new jobs had been created as a consequence of the hosting of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the latest date for which figures are available; and how many such new jobs she expects to be created in each of the next three years.

Tessa Jowell: The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) publishes data on the construction contractor workforce each quarter on the London 2012 website. The latest figures as at the end of September 2009, showed that 7,270 people were working on the Olympic Site, of which 2,428 were working on the Village. Of those working on the Park, 21 per cent. were people from the five Olympic host boroughs. The ODA expects construction on the Park and Village to have created work for 30,000 people by 2012, with the number of workers on site is expected to peak at 11,000 during 2010.
	The employment legacy is not limited to those working on the Olympic site. Companies across the UK are winning Games related work, creating employment. The investment in major public projects, like the London 2012 Games, is also supporting the construction industry.
	The ODA currently employs 222 people. This figure is forecasted to reduce as projects are completed.
	LOCOG estimates that a contracted workforce of 100,000 people will be needed to stage the Games. It is also expected that new opportunities will be created in sectors such as tourism, leisure, hospitality-6,700 new opportunities are expected to be created in retail, hotels and restaurants-and in sport and media because of our hosting of the Games.
	LOCOG currently employs approximately 500 people. This number is forecasted to rise to 1,000 people by December 2010, and to 1,700 by December 2011. The number of people employed by LOCOG during Games time is expected to reach 6,000 including temporary Games-time roles.
	After the Games, up to 10,000 new permanent jobs are expected to be created on the Park, and more created in the wider Lower Lea valley as a result of the regeneration in the area.
	Further to the creation of new employment opportunities, the London Development Agency and its partners, including Jobcentre Plus, aim to use the Games to reduce unemployment across the capital by 70,000 by 2012 through programmes such as Personal Best and the Employer Accord. By September 2009 it had achieved 14,000 against this target.

Olympic Games 2012: North West

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what steps she is taking to ensure the North West region obtains a legacy from the London 2012 Olympics.

Tessa Jowell: The Government and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games established the Nations and Regions Group to ensure UK-wide engagement and to maximise the legacy for London 2012. This group works directly with representatives from each of the Nations and English regions to maximise the sporting, commercial, cultural and other benefits of the 2012 Games.
	Business in Leeds has already benefited from the contract opportunities linked to the London 2012 Games. Yorkshire and Humber region has won more than 119 London 2012 business contracts, 21 companies are based in Leeds.
	As part of the programme to maximise the sporting opportunities for the regions Yorkshire has a total of 49 Pre Games Training Camps including John Charles Centre for Sport. The Dutch swimming team have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to use Leeds for their training for London 2012.
	The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad project, which includes The Artists Taking the Lead, announced 'Leeds Canvas' as a winner. This is a 'first time ever' citywide collaboration between artists and arts organisations and will continue beyond 2012 leaving a cultural legacy for Leeds.
	Also many schools in Leeds are participating in Get Set, the official London 2012 education programme for schools across the UK. To date, Leeds has 88 schools registered.

Olympic Games 2012: Transport

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister for the Olympics whether she has plans to increase the frequency of  (a) rail and  (b) bus services between London and the other Olympic sites in 2012.

Tessa Jowell: The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is working in partnership with TfL, rail operators, London buses and other bus operating companies serving venues outside of the Olympic Park to provide an enhanced level of service during the games.
	This work is being informed by ODA's ongoing demand forecasting into rail and bus requirements and feedback from stakeholders on the second edition of ODA's Olympic Transport Plan which was issued for consultation in December 2009. The consultation closes on 19 March and is on ODA's website at:
	http://www.london2012.com/making-it-happen/transport/transport-plan.php

Olympic Games in 2012: Northern Ireland

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what recent discussions she has had with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of the Northern Ireland Executive on the contribution of Northern Ireland to the hosting of the London 2012 Olympics.

Tessa Jowell: UK nations and regions are realising the opportunities and benefits from the sporting, commercial, and cultural programmes offered by the 2012 games. Government officials, and the Nations and Regions Group (NRG), which includes representation from each of the nations and English regions, are in regular contact with officials in Northern Ireland.
	In addition, the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Northern Ireland Assembly, who has the responsibility for sport, is a member of the Sporting Legacy Board which is chaired by the Minister for Sport in DCMS, and brings together sports leaders from across the UK.

Olympic Games in 2012: Scotland

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what recent discussions she has had with the First Minister of the Scottish Executive on the contribution of Scotland to the hosting of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Tessa Jowell: I met with Shona Robinson, Minister for Public Health in Scotland to discuss London 2012 and the legacy opportunities for Scotland.
	UK nations and regions are realising the opportunities and benefits from the sporting, commercial, and cultural programmes offered by the 2012 Games. Government officials, and the Nations and Regions Group (NRG), which includes representation from each of the nations and English regions, are in regular contact with officials in Scotland.
	In addition, the Minister for Health and Sport, Scottish Executive, is a member of the Sporting Legacy Board which is chaired by the Minister for Sport in DCMS, and brings together sports leaders from across the UK.

Olympic Games in 2012: Wales

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what recent discussions she has had with the First Minister of the Welsh Assembly Government on the contribution of Wales to the hosting of the Olympic Games in 2012.

Tessa Jowell: UK nations and regions are realising the opportunities and benefits from the sporting, commercial, and cultural programmes offered by the 2012 games. Government officials, and the Nations and Regions Group (NRG), which includes representation from each of the nations and English regions, are in regular contact with officials in Wales.
	The Minister for Heritage in the Welsh Assembly, who has the responsibility for sport, is a member of the Sporting Legacy Board which is chaired by the Minister for Sport in DCMS, and brings together sports leaders from across the UK.

Olympic Games: Canada

Kate Hoey: To ask the Minister for the Olympics for how many days  (a) she and  (b) officials of her Office expect to attend the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver in February in the course of their official duties; and what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse in each such case.

Tessa Jowell: Details of ministerial travel costing over £500 are published annually and include the cost, destination and purpose of the trip. It also provides information on the number of officials who accompany Ministers. The most recent list was published in July 2009 and the details of attendance at the Vancouver 2010 winter Olympic games will be included in the 2010 return.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Departmental Advertising

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much he expects his Department to spend on  (a) television,  (b) radio,  (c) print and  (d) online advertising in (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11.

Si�n Simon: For 2009-10 the overall budget allocated for advertising spend which can be identified from the Department's accounting system is £180,000. Individual allocations for television, radio, print and online advertising are not held on the Department's accounting system.
	The business planning process is ongoing and the advertising allocations for 2010-11 have not been agreed yet.

Departmental Advertising

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much his Department has spent on  (a) print,  (b) online,  (c) television and  (d) radio advertising in each of the last five years; how much has been spent on advertising in 2009-10 to date; and what percentage of advertising expenditure in each year was managed by the Central Office of Information.

Si�n Simon: The expenditure on advertising recorded on the Department's accounting system is not analysed by the categories requested. The table sets out identifiable costs of recruitment advertising, which are predominantly print advertising.
	
		
			  Financial year  Amount (£) 
			 2009-10 5,380 
			 2008-09 17,940 
			 2007-08 36,150 
			 2006-07 38,390 
			 2005-06 105,450 
			 2004-05 34,930 
		
	
	Expenditure incurred through the Central Office of Information (COI) relates to a range of activities, including advertising. To identify the advertising expense element would require an analysis of all COI invoices. This would incur disproportionate cost.

Departmental Allowances

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was claimed in  (a) travel and  (b) other expenses by (i) Ministers and (ii) officials in his Department in each of the last five years.

Si�n Simon: All travel by ministers and civil servants is undertaken in accordance with the 'Ministerial Code' and the 'Civil Service Management Code' respectively, and other expenses are claimed in accordance with the principles set out in 'Managing Public Money'.
	For the financial years 2006-07 to 2008-09 the table sets out the travel and associated expenses claimed through travel and subsistence expense forms. The use of taxis is not analysed by Ministers and officials. Information relating to prior years can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. In addition to these costs, other travel and expense costs will have been incurred through centrally managed contracts, rather than individual expense claims.
	
		
			  £ 
			  Financial year  2008-09  2007-08  2006-07 
			 Ministers' travel claims 0 570 950 
			 Officials' travel claims 72,670 73,210 103,740 
			 Taxi 3,590 4,360 5,290 
		
	
	Information relating to other expenses are allocated to individual policy areas and not centrally recorded against Ministers or officials. It is therefore not readily available and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Domestic Visits

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many planned visits by Ministers in his Department within the UK were cancelled within 72 hours of the visit taking place in the last 12 months; and what the planned venue or venues were for each such visit.

Si�n Simon: This information is not readily available and could be gathered only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Manpower

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff of each grade work for his Department at each location on services which it has contracted out; who the contractors and services are provided in each case; what the length of each contract is; and which union recognition agreements are in place with each contractor.

Si�n Simon: holding answer 24 November 2009
	The information requested is provided in the table.
	
		
			  Service/contract  Service received at  DCMS staff  Contractor name  Contract length  Union recognition agreement 
			 Facilities management Cockspur Street (CS) and Tottenham Court Road (TCR) 1 grade 7and 1 grade HEO/SEO (staff based at CS) MITIE Contract expires  31 January 2010 No union agreement in place 
			   
			 Catering-staff restaurant Cockspur Street (CS) 1 grade HEO/SEO (staff based at CS) Baxter Storey Contract expired  23 December 2009 No union agreement in place 
			   
			 Mailroom Cockspur Street and TCR 1 grade HEO/SEO (staff based at CS) Pitney Bowes Contract expires  31 January 2010 No union agreement in place 
			   
			 Payroll Cockspur Street and TCR 1 grade HEO/SEO and 1 grade EO (staff based at CS) LogicaCMG Contract expires 31/03/2013 No union agreement in place

Ruth Mackenzie

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the job specification is of his Department's expert adviser Ruth Mackenzie; what the difference is between a special adviser and an expert adviser in his Department; and on what contractual terms Ruth Mackenzie is employed.

Si�n Simon: Ruth Mackenzie's role is to provide expert advice on cultural and broadcasting issues. She is on secondment from the Manchester International Festival. She was appointed by the Department, with the agreement of the Civil Service Commissioners. She is subject to the full requirements of the Civil Service Code-unlike special advisers who, as set out in the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, are exempt from some of its requirements and are directly appointed by Ministers.

Visits Abroad: Olympic Games

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials from his Department are planning to attend the Winter Olympics in Vancouver in February 2010 in an official capacity; and at what cost.

Si�n Simon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall (Kate Hoey) on 5 January 2010,  Official Report, column 44W.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Attendance Allowance: Leeds

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people in the Leeds city area claimed attendance allowance in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many people in Leeds West constituency claimed attendance allowance in each of the last five years.

Jonathan R Shaw: The available information is in the table.
	
		
			  Attendance allowance-cases in payment in Leeds local authority area and Leeds West parliamentary constituency 
			   As at May  each year 
			   2005  2006  2007  2008  2009 
			 Leeds local authority area 14,090 14,360 14,510 14,740 15,130 
			 Leeds West parliamentary constituency 1,550 1,590 1,630 1,640 1,690 
			  Notes: 1. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest ten. 2. Totals show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital.  Source: DWP Information Directorate; Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study

Cold Weather Payments

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many times cold weather payments have been triggered in post code  (a) FK10 and  (b) PH1 since October 2009.

Helen Goodman: The cold weather payment scheme runs from 1 November to 31 March each year. Between 1 November 2009 and 6 January 2010 cold weather payments were triggered three times each in post code areas FK10 and PH1.

Cold Weather Payments

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how long on average elapsed between the occurrence of weather conditions triggering cold weather payments and such payments being made in 2008-09.

Helen Goodman: The payment of cold weather payments is a fully automated process. Once a cold weather payment is triggered, it takes three working days to make a payment into a customer's account. For the very small number of claims that are maintained clerically, it takes slightly longer to make a payment, but average times are not recorded.

Cold Weather Payments

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what account is taken of wind chill factors in the triggering of cold weather payments.

Helen Goodman: The cold weather payment scheme does not take account of wind chill factors.

Cold Weather Payments: Milton Keynes

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on how many occasions cold weather payments have been triggered in MK post codes since October 2009.

Helen Goodman: The cold weather payment scheme runs from 1 November to 31 March each year. Up until 7 January 2010 post code MK has triggered twice.

Council Tax Benefits

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what discussions her Department has had with local authorities on proposals to rename council tax benefit as council tax rebate;
	(2)  what work her Department has undertaken to assess the merits of renaming council tax benefit as council tax rebate; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  when she expects the renaming of council tax benefit as council tax rebate to take place; and if she will make a statement.

Helen Goodman: We are committed to making this change at the earliest opportunity. This change does have significant operational and delivery implications for local authorities. There will need to be numerous changes to their computer systems and to those used by Jobcentre Plus and Pension, Disability and Carers Service. Before we can be clear about the timetable for introducing the change we need to do further work to assess the full costs and the practical implications, including the impact it will have on take-up by conducting further research.
	We have been and will continue to work closely with local authorities and their IT suppliers to assess the impact and costs of these changes and the fit with other initiatives the Department and local authorities have to deliver, so that renaming can be introduced at the earliest opportunity.

Departmental Training

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many overseas training courses were attended by her Department's civil servants in the latest period for which figures are available; how many civil servants attended each course; and what the total cost to the public purse was of each course.

Angela Eagle: The Department does not hold records on the information requested centrally; individual business units retain records locally and as such this information could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

Employment and Support Allowance

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of individuals undergoing a work capability assessment following an application for employment and support allowance (ESA) have been found to be  (a) ineligible for ESA,  (b) eligible for work-related ESA and  (c) eligible for support group ESA in each quarter since the inception of that allowance; and how many and what proportion of applicants for incapacity benefit were found to be ineligible as a result of undergoing the personal capability assessment in the latest year for which figures are available.

Jonathan R Shaw: Such information as is available is published in 'Employment Support Allowance: Work Capability Assessment statistical release (October 2009)', a copy of which has been placed in the Library.
	The publication is also available online at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/esa_wca.asp
	The published data summarise work capability assessment results for employment support allowance claims in Great Britain up to the end of February 2009.
	Information on the results of the personal capability assessment is not available.
	The available data, however, are based on recorded advice from Atos, rather than the Decision Maker's final determination. The final outcomes of cases may change. This will be further compounded by reconsiderations following additional medical evidence and the outcomes of appeals.
	The available information is in the tables.
	
		
			  Monthly employment and support allowance on-flows by claim start and result of medical assessment 
			   2008  2009 
			   October  November  December  January  February  Total 
			 Support Group 600 2,400 2,200 2,600 2,200 10,000 
			 Work related activity group 1,000 4,800 4,500 6,000 5,300 21,600 
			 Fit for work 3,300 16,000 13,800 18,600 17,100 68,800 
			 Claim closed before assessment complete 3,500 17,700 15,900 19,800 17,600 74,500 
			 Assessment still in progress 600 3,000 3,300 5,500 6,500 19,000 
			 Total 9,100 43,900 39,600 52,500 48,700 193,800 
			 1. Figures are round to the nearest 100. 2. Around 3 per cent. of assessments are made clerically. These figures are not included in this table.  Source: Department for Work and Pensions benefits data and Atos Healthcare medical assessment data 
		
	
	
		
			  Monthly employment and support allowance on-flows by claim start and result of medical assessment expressed as percentages 
			   2008  2009 
			   October  November  December  January  February  Overall 
			 Support group 7 6 6 5 4 5 
			 Work related activity group 11 11 11 11 11 11 
			 Fit for work 37 37 35 36 35 36 
			 Claim closed before assessment complete 39 40 40 38 36 38 
			 Assessment still in progress 6 7 8 11 13 10 
		
	
	The data presented combine three main data sources:
	benefit claims data held by the Department for Work and Pensions covering new employment and support allowance claims between October 2008 to February 2009;
	medical assessment data sourced from Atos Healthcare covering assessments completed between October 2008 and August 2009; and
	appeals data sourced from Tribunals Service covering appeals heard up to July 2009.
	The tables present assessment results by breaking down cohorts of employment and support allowance benefit claims. This is presented for claim starts to February 2009. Beyond this date the results are not reliable as many claims are still within the process.
	National Statistics on employment and support allowance on-flows and caseload are published on the Department for Work and Pensions Tabulation Tool. Latest data available show there were 195,500 new employment and support allowance claims between 27 October 2008 and 28 February 2009.
	Note that rounding and exclusion of clerical claims means the figures in the first table won't match the Tabulation Tool figures exactly.
	52 per cent. of these employment and support allowance claims were assessed resulting in the following outcomes:
	5 per cent. were assessed as suitable for the support group;
	11 per cent. were assessed as suitable for the work related activity group; and
	36 per cent. were assessed as being fit for work.
	The remaining 48 per cent. either left employment and support allowance before completing assessment or assessment is still in progress.

Housing Benefit: East of England

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many rapid reclaims of housing benefit took more than 10 days to process  (a) nationally and  (b) in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Jobcentre Plus district in the most recent 12 month period for which figures are available; what the target time is for processing such reclaims; and if she will make a statement.

Helen Goodman: holding answer 6 January 2010
	The requested information is not available.

Incapacity Benefit: Bedfordshire

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many  (a) incapacity benefit and  (b) employment and support allowance claimants there were in South West Bedfordshire constituency on the latest date for which figures are available.

Jonathan R Shaw: The available information is in the table.
	
		
			  N umber of incapacity benefit and employment and support allowance claimants in South West Bedfordshire-May 2009 
			   Incapacity benefit  Employment and support allowance 
			 South West Bedfordshire 2,530 410 
			  Notes: 1. Caseload has been rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Data published at: www.nomisweb.co.uk (incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance) and http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/tabtool.asp (employment and support allowance). 3. Employment and support allowance replaced incapacity benefit and income support paid on the grounds of incapacity for new claims from 27 October 2008.  Source:  Department for Work and Pensions Information Directorate 100 per cent. Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.

Industrial Diseases: Compensation

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many former miners have submitted claims for industrial injuries benefit for osteoarthritis of the knee to date; how many such claims have been  (a) accepted and  (b) rejected; and how many appeals against the rejection of a claim have been made.

Jonathan R Shaw: Since the addition of osteoarthritis of the knee to the list of prescribed industrial diseases on 13 July 2009, 30,262 claims have been received.
	10,396 have been processed, of which, 3,837 have received an award of, or an increase of, industrial injuries disablement benefit.
	The total number of all appeals received is 1,330.
	This information is based on an informal count by the Jobcentre Plus offices dealing with industrial injuries disablement benefit. We are looking into arrangements to publish this information as official statistics.

Local Housing Allowance

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 15 June 2009,  Official Report, column 48W, on local housing allowance, if she will undertake research into whether landlords discriminate against potential tenants who are on local housing allowance on the grounds that the benefit is not paid directly to the landlord.

Helen Goodman: The Department has committed to completing a review of the LHA scheme over a two-year period from the commencement of its roll-out in April 2008. The aim of the review is to monitor the impact of the LHA at a national level, against the original LHA policy objectives.
	The review will include an in-depth focus group study of landlords, concerning their attitudes and experiences of the LHA, including direct payments.

Personal Accounts

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what research her Department has  (a) commissioned and  (b) undertaken on the economies of scale which will be generated by funds under management in personal accounts;
	(2)  what estimate she has made of the monetary value of the funds likely to be managed through the proposed personal accounts scheme.

Angela Eagle: The Department has not commissioned or undertaken such research.
	However, the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority's engagement with stakeholders during their consultation ('Building Personal Accounts: Designing an Investment Approach', published on 7 May 2009), confirmed the scheme will benefit from economies of scale when investing future members' contributions. Responses to the consultation are summarised in, 'Building Personal Accounts: Designing an Investment Approach'. Key findings of the public consultation published November 2009.
	The 'Impact Assessment for the Pensions Bill' (2007), published on the 24 April 2008 estimated there might be funds around £100 to 300 billion under management in the scheme by 2050, in 2007-08 earnings terms.

State Retirement Pensions

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if she will estimate the effect on the level of poverty among pensioners of paying all people reaching the state pension age in 2012-13 the full basic state pension in each of the subsequent three years.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 6 January 2010
	The Department does not publish projections of pensioner poverty levels and therefore we are unable to answer the question.
	Pensioner poverty is complex and dependent on a number of factors. Therefore projections would need to rely on many assumptions and as such would be subject to a significant degree of uncertainty.
	Any current projection of the number of pensioners in poverty would be subject to uncertainties around future income growth, changes in the income distribution and individual changes in behaviour in response to policy changes. The Government therefore do not publish forward projections.
	The proportion of pensioners in low income in the UK has fallen substantially over the last 10 years. There are 900,000 fewer pensioners in relative poverty in 2007-08 than in 1998-99 (measured as below 60 per cent. of contemporary median income after housing costs are taken into account). A complete set of statistics can be found in the 'Households Below Average Income 2007-08' publication, found at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/hbai.asp

Unemployment: Leeds

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps she has taken to reduce levels of unemployment in Leeds West constituency amongst disabled people since 2001; and if she will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: A number of steps have been taken to reduce levels of unemployment among disabled people since 2001.
	In July 2001 the new deal for disabled people was launched. This is a programme of advice and practical support, which helps people move from disability and health-related benefits into paid employment. The programme is delivered through a network of 'job brokers' offering different services, which can be tailored to a customer's individual needs.
	December 2007 saw the introduction of Pathways to Work in the West Yorkshire district, which includes the Leeds, West constituency. This programme helps claimants of incapacity benefits or employment and support allowance get work by offering individual support and access to a wide range of help, including work-focused interviews.
	The public consultation Helping People Achieve their Full Potential: Improving Specialist Disability Employment Services was launched on 3 December 2007 to help shape the future of specialist disability employment provision. The new programme, Work Choice, which replaces existing specialist disability employment programmes, will be introduced in October 2010.
	Employment and support allowance replaced incapacity benefits for new customers nationally on 27 October 2008. Employment and support allowance has a greater work-focus than its predecessors. It also has a more modern and robust medical assessment, which helps to identify the help that people need to ensure they can fulfil their potential.
	Access to Work is a specialist disability programme that helps disabled people overcome work-related obstacles. It is flexible, easy to access and shows high levels of satisfaction from disabled people and their employers. The Access to Work base budget has been increased from £15 million in 1994-95 to £81 million in 2009-10 and will continue to grow to £138 million by 2013-14. We are also working to improve the programme to ensure it helps people with mental health conditions more effectively.
	The refreshed jobseeker's allowance regime and flexible new deal will go live in Leeds in April 2010. This is designed to offer personalised and more intensive support to customers, including those with disabilities, to help overcome barriers to work.
	More generally, all jobseekers have full access to Jobcentre Plus vacancy services to enhance their employment opportunities. We recognise that some disabled customers may have a more limited availability and scope to find and carry out certain types of work. Therefore, at the start of their claim customers are asked to tell their adviser about any disabilities that might have such an impact, and can restrict their work search activity and availability for work if those restrictions are reasonable, given their condition.
	Customers with a disability can volunteer to be fast-tracked to the six month stage of jobseeker's allowance, subject to the Jobcentre Plus personal advisers agreement. This allows disabled people to access additional intensive support earlier in their claim.
	Disability employment advisers are available to provide specialist support to people facing employment barriers because of a disability. They can advise customers about a range of specialised support available, and provide advice on job retention if a person is concerned about losing their job because of their disability. They are supported by work psychologists and various external disability specialists.

Waste Disposal: Safety

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the answer of 21 July 2009,  Official Report, column 1337W, on waste disposal: safety, if she will request the Health and Safety Executive to undertake research on the safety of household refuse containers in relation to deliberate fires.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has no plans to assess the safety of household refuse containers (including wheelie bins) in relation to deliberate fires. I do not intend to request them to do so as such incidents arise from criminal acts of arson, which is a matter for the police, and not HSE, whose remit is restricted to the health, safety and welfare of persons at work and others who may be affected by work activities. HSE is therefore involved in issues such as the safe lifting of wheelie bins on to refuse lorries, to which European standards apply, but the deliberate setting of fires in household refuse containers is outside any intended normal use and design criteria. Such arson attacks are tackled by the fire and rescue services and are investigated by the police under the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

Winter Fuel Payments: Tamworth

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Tamworth constituency are in receipt of winter fuel allowance; and how much her Department paid to such pensioners in winter fuel allowance in 2009.

Angela Eagle: For winter 2008-09, 18,590 older people received a winter fuel payment in Tamworth constituency at a cost of around £3.9 million.
	 Notes:
	1. Payment figures rounded to the nearest 10.
	2. Parliamentary constituencies and local authorities are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS postcode directory.
	3. Expenditure rounded to the nearest £0.1 million.

Winter Fuel Payments: Tamworth

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate she has made of the number of households in Tamworth constituency who will receive the  (a) £250 and  (b) £400 winter fuel payment in 2009-10.

Angela Eagle: For winter 2008-09, 10,920 households received a £250 winter fuel payment and 2,530 households received a £400 payment in Tamworth constituency.
	 Notes:
	1. Figures rounded to the nearest 10.
	2. Parliamentary constituencies and local authorities are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS postcode directory.

Work Capability Assessment

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what average time is taken for Atos Healthcare to deliver to the business user of the medical services contract a report following a work capability assessment; and if she will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: Atos Healthcare Medical Services are contracted to deliver new claims for employment support allowance requiring a work capability assessments to the business user in an actual average clearance time (AACT) of 35.0 working days. In November 2009, Atos Healthcare achieved an AACT of 33.5 working days.

TRANSPORT

Aviation: Security

Tim Loughton: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport whether all border guards who will operate the new full-body scanners at Heathrow airport have been subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check.

Paul Clark: All airport security staff who will operate the new full-body scanners have been subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check.

Aviation: Security

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport when he expects the review of aviation security announced in December 2009 to report.

Paul Clark: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary made a statement to the House announcing the initial outcome of the review of aviation security on Tuesday 5 January 2010,  Official Report, columns 28-41.

Aviation: Security

Tim Loughton: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport whether he has made an assessment of the implications of the provisions of child protection legislation for the use of full-body scanners at Heathrow Airport.

Paul Clark: The introduction of the scanners is a necessary additional measure in response to the heightened threat to the travelling public. Their application to passengers including children, with the proposed safeguards as to their use, is a proportionate response to the heightened threat. The use of body scanners is compatible with the Protection of Children Act 1978. The use of scanners will be subject to a code of practice which is being developed by the Department for Transport and airport operators.

Aviation: Security

Graham Stringer: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what date he has set for equipping of all UK international airports with full body scanners.

Paul Clark: We have not set such a date. However, we are discussing urgently with the airport industry the widespread roll-out of scanners at UK airports as soon as practicable.

Aviation: Security

Graham Stringer: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport when the first full body scanner in a UK airport is scheduled to start operation.

Paul Clark: The first scanner is expected to be operational at Heathrow airport within about three weeks.

Aviation: Security

Graham Stringer: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will assess the compatibility with child protection legislation of the operation of full body scanners in UK airports; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: The introduction of the scanners is a necessary additional measure in response to the heightened threat to the travelling public. Their application to passengers including children, with the proposed safeguards as to their use, is a proportionate response to the heightened threat. The use of body scanners is compatible with the Protection of Children Act 1978. The use of scanners will be subject to a code of practice which is being developed by the Department for Transport and airport operators.

Aviation: Security

Graham Stringer: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what funding his Department plans to make available to UK airports for the installation of full body scanners.

Paul Clark: The funding of body scanners will be a matter for airport operators.

Aviation: Security

Graham Stringer: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport when he plans to issue guidance on operating the full body scanners proposed to be installed at UK airports.

Paul Clark: The code of practice is under urgent development and will be finalised as soon as possible.

Aviation: Security

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport whether the body scanners to be deployed at airports will use passive millimetre wave technology.

Paul Clark: No. The body scanners to be deployed at UK airports will use either active millimetre wave or backscatter technology.

Aviation: Security

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport whether individuals who wish not to use body scanners at airports will be able to opt for a manual pat down search.

Paul Clark: No. Individuals who are asked to use the body scanner but decline to do so will not be permitted to fly.

Aviation: Snow and Ice

Danny Alexander: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport 
	(1)  what steps he has taken to ensure an adequate supply of airport and aircraft de-icing fluid during the current cold weather;
	(2)  what monitoring his Department undertakes of the availability of aircraft and airport de-icing fluid;
	(3)  what recent assessment he has made of the level of risk to transport  (a) within and  (b) departing from the UK of shortages in the availability of airport and aircraft de-icing fluid.

Paul Clark: Sourcing of sufficient quantities of airport surface and airframe de-icer compounds are commercial matters for privately-owned airport operators and airlines, with the relevant suppliers. The Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority have, however, been in contact with airport operators and airlines throughout the period of severe weather to monitor the operation of the supply chain. The Department has also agreed to a temporary and limited relaxation of the enforcement of EU drivers' hours and working-time rules, up to the end of Monday 11 January, for those hauliers involved in the distribution of de-icer products direct to airports.

Buses: Concessions

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many  (a) over-60 year olds and  (b) disabled people resident in Tamworth constituency made use of free off-peak bus travel in the latest period for which figures are available.

Sadiq Khan: The Department for Transport is not responsible for issuing passes and so does not maintain records of how many passes individual authorities have issued.
	Tamworth is part of the Staffordshire county concessionary travel scheme. The last information held by the Department was that as of 17 April 2009, the Staffordshire county scheme had issued 125,787 of the new smartcard concessionary passes. This includes passes issued to disabled people as well as those aged 60 and over as the Department does not have a breakdown of figures.

Corby Station

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many passengers  (a) boarded and  (b) alighted from trains at Corby railway station on each day since 8 September 2009.

Chris Mole: The Department for Transport does not hold the requested information on passengers using Corby railway station.
	This is a matter for the train operator, East Midlands Trains, which provides services to and from Corby. East Midlands Trains can be contacted at the following address:
	Mr. Tim Shoveller
	Managing Director
	East Midlands Trains
	1 Prospect Place
	Millennium Way
	Pride Park
	Derby
	DE24 8HG

Departmental Legislation

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what criminal offences have been  (a) created and  (b) abolished by secondary legislation sponsored by his Department since 1 May 2008.

Chris Mole: A table setting out the title of each piece of secondary legislation creating an offence within the scope of the question, the number of offences created by that piece of legislation and a general description of the offences is listed as follows.
	More detail about the offences created and information about offences that have been abolished (other than in respect of the revocation of the Air Navigation Order 2005 (see as follows)) could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Offences contained in the Air Navigation Order 2005 were abolished when that Order was replaced by the Air Navigation Order 2009 (see the entry for the Air Navigation (Amendment) Order 2009 in the table).
	While all reasonable efforts have been made by the Department to ascertain what offences have been created by secondary legislation since 1 May 2008, it is impossible to guarantee that every new offence has been noted in the enclosed table without incurring disproportionate cost in terms of officials' time. For example: where an instrument extends an existing provision to cover a new situation it might not be apparent that an offence was involved without further research and this would require a significant amount of time.
	
		
			  Title of the secondary legislation  Number of offences created  General description of offences 
			 The London Gateway Port Harbour Empowerment Order 2008 6 Obstructing works/officers 
			 The Cross-border Railway Services (Working Time) Regulations 2008 7 Failing to comply with various provisions of the Regulations 
			 The Felixstowe Branch Line and Ipswich Yard Improvement Order 2008 3 Obstructing works/disclosing confidential information 
			 The Air Navigation (Environmental Standards For Non-EASA Aircraft) Order 2008 2 Contravening any provision of the Order (in two groups, divided according to penalty) 
			 The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) Regulations 2008 47 Contravention of various provisions of the Regulations by various people 
			 The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Sewage and Garbage from Ships) Regulations 2008 49 Contravention of various provisions of the Regulations by various people 
			 The Operation of Air Services in the Community Regulations 2009 9 Failing to comply with various provisions of the Regulations 
			 The Street Works (Charges for Unreasonably Prolonged Occupation of the Highway) (England) Regulations 2009 1 Failing to give any notice required by the Regulations. 
			 The Road Safety (Immobilisation, Removal and Disposal of Vehicles) Regulations 2009 5 Failing to comply with various provisions of the Regulations 
			 The Road Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 2009 9 Failing to comply with various provisions of the Regulations 
			 The Nottingham Express Transit System Order 2009 9 Failing to comply with various provisions of the Order 
			 The Air Navigation (Single European Sky) (Penalties) Order 2009 25 Failing to comply with various provisions of the Order 
			 The Air Navigation (Amendment) Order 2009 10 Failing to comply with various provisions of the Air Navigation Order 2005 (The 2005 Order and the 2009 Amendment Order were revoked by the Air Navigation Order 2009) 
			 The Motor Cycles Etc. (Replacement of Catalytic Converters) Regulations 2009 4 Failing to comply with various provisions of the Regulations 
			 The Motor Vehicles (Replacement of Catalytic Converters and Pollution Control Devices) Regulations 2009 7 Failing to comply with various provisions of the Regulations 
			 The Port Security Regulations 2009 14 Failing to comply with various provisions of the Regulations 
			 The Channel Tunnel (International Arrangements) (Amendment) Order 2009 1 Making of false statements etc under or for the purposes of the Channel Tunnel (International Arrangements) Order 2005 
			 The Penzance Harbour Revision Order 2009 4 Failing to comply with various provisions of the Order 
			 The London Underground (Victoria Station Upgrade) Order 2009 3 Obstructing works/disclosing confidential information 
			 The Merchant Shipping (Anti-Fouling Systems) Regulations 2009 15 Contravention of various provisions of the Regulations by various people 
			 The Air Navigation Order 2009 9 Failing to comply with various provisions of the Order 
			 The Merchant Shipping (Implementation of Ship-Source Pollution Directive) Regulations 2009 4 Contravention of various provisions of other Regulations

Departmental Training

Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how much  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies spent on away days in the last 12 months; and what the (i) subject and (ii) location of each away day was.

Chris Mole: The Department for Transport can only provide the cost, subject and location of away days for the last 12 months by incurring disproportionate costs.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Databases

Bob Russell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport on how many occasions the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency database was accessed by  (a) police forces,  (b) other public agencies and  (c) private companies in each of the last five financial years; and what estimate he has made of the number of such requests which will be made in (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11.

Paul Clark: The information requested is not held in the format requested.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Databases

Bob Russell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what his policy is on allowing private companies access to information on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency database for commercial purposes.

Paul Clark: Information held on the 'driver' record may only be disclosed to private companies for commercial purposes with the explicit consent of the individual and when there is a demonstrable need to confirm an entitlement to drive. For example, when hiring a vehicle or driving as a condition of employment.
	Information held on the 'vehicle' record may be disclosed under provisions of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002. This provides for the release of information to those who can demonstrate reasonable cause to require it, such as an issue around the vehicle and its use. Disclosure generally results from incidents where the motorist has incurred some form of liability. It is recognised that motorists have an obligation to comply with road traffic and other regulations when using a vehicle and to act responsibly and with consideration for other road users, pedestrians and landowners in doing so.
	Any private car parking company seeking information about the keeper of a specific vehicle must be a member of a DVLA Accredited Trade Association and conform to its code of practice. DVLA provides vehicle data, containing no personal details, to commercial customers for statistical use and to provide vehicle check services to consumers when purchasing a second-hand vehicle or parts for their current vehicle.
	Information is also supplied to assist in safety recalls from time to time.
	All disclosures of information are made in accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection and Human Rights Acts. Requests for information are subject to audit to ensure they respect agreements and legislation.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Databases

Bob Russell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport which  (a) police forces,  (b) other public agencies and  (c) private companies are permitted access to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency database to obtain (i) details of vehicle registration numbers, (ii) names of licence holders and (iii) private addresses of licence holders.

Paul Clark: No organisation has direct access into the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) records.
	Information from both the driver and vehicle record is provided daily to the National Police Improvement Agency for inclusion on the Police National Computer system for use by all police forces. All other requests for information are considered on a case-by-case basis.
	Private addresses of driving licence holders may be provided to public agencies with the consent of the individual or if they have a statutory right to it e.g. HM Revenue and Customs, the Child Support Agency and the Department for Work and Pensions. These requests generally relate to law enforcement activities.
	DVLA does not provide the name or address details of licence holders to any private companies, only details relating to their driving entitlement and endorsements. Employers, recruitment agencies and private companies, such as car hire companies, may make a request for details of a driver record if they have the consent of the individual and provide their name, address and date of birth.
	Vehicle registration numbers need to be provided to the DVLA in order for a search of the vehicle record to be made. Therefore, DVLA does not disclose details of vehicle registration numbers from the vehicle record.

Eurostar

Roger Gale: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what proposals are under consideration for the provision of alternative services to Eurostar using the Channel Tunnel rail link; when such services could be operational; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mole: As of January this year, new European regulations allow train companies to operate international services across Europe on an open access basis.
	The Government welcome this. We want to see new services and competition on Highspeed1.
	It is for individual companies to come forward to introduce services.

Hotels

David Drew: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many hotel room nights were booked by officials in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies in each year since 2007; and how much (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies spent on the fees of third party agents in booking hotel accommodation in each of those years.

Chris Mole: The Department for Transport does not record numbers of hotel room nights centrally, and the information can be provided only at disproportionate cost. No fees have been paid to third party booking agents in the period since 2007.
	All expenditure is incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.

Kettering Station

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many passengers travelling  (a) north and  (b) south on the Midland mainline (i) boarded and (ii) alighted from trains at Kettering station on each day since 8 September 2009.

Chris Mole: The Department for Transport does not hold the requested information on passengers using Kettering railway station.
	This is matter for the train operator, East Midlands Trains, which provides services to and from Kettering. East Midlands Trains can be contacted at the following address:
	Mr Tim Shoveller
	Managing Director
	East Midlands Trains
	1 Prospect Place
	Millennium Way
	Pride Park
	Derby
	DE24 8HG

M6

David Winnick: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport 
	(1)  if he will require the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency to meet residents in Walsall North constituency who are adversely affected by the M6 motorway work on the site of the work, as requested by the hon. Member for Walsall North;
	(2)  for what reasons the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency did not agree to meet residents on the site within the Walsall North constituency who are adversely affected by the M6 motorway work; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  if he will ensure that the Chief Executive or Deputy Chief Executive of the Highways Agency meets residents on sites where work authorised by the agency is taking place when requested to do so by hon. Members.

Chris Mole: The Chief Executive of the Highways Agency has offered to meet the hon. Member and representatives of local residents at the Agency's offices, or at the construction site offices, where he believes a constructive discussion can be held to agree what, if any, further action by the Highways Agency's contractor is needed to mitigate the disturbance to residents.
	The Chief Executive has personally investigated complaints by the hon. Member's constituents and ensured that any shortcomings were rectified. This includes asking the contractor's main board director to ensure that he delivers a plan for improving neighbour relations.
	The Chief Executive has assured me on several occasions that he is willing to meet with any Member of this House to discuss particular matters affecting constituents, and has done this with several hon. Members in the past.

M6

David Winnick: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what discussions  (a) Ministers in his Department and  (b) officials in the Secretary of State's private office have had with the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency on the adverse effects on residents of work carried out on the M6 motorway in Walsall North constituency; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mole: The Secretary of State for Transport and I have regular meetings with the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency to discuss all aspects of the Agency's business, including the concerns of residents affected by the scheme being carried out on the M6 motorway in the Walsall, North constituency.

M6

David Winnick: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport 
	(1)  for what reasons residents in Walsall North constituency likely to be adversely affected by current work authorised by the Highways Agency on the M6 motorway were not directly informed of the work planned by the Agency; and if he will instruct the Highways Agency directly to notify those likely to be adversely affected by its planned work in all areas in addition to its practice of placing advertisements in the press;
	(2)  if he will ensure that when work is authorised by the Highways Agency that is likely to adversely affect residents hon. Members representing the constituency or constituencies concerned are notified.

Chris Mole: The Highways Agency has established procedures in place for notifying any local residents or businesses likely to be affected by planned works, as well as placing advertisements in the local press. These can include letter drops, locally held exhibitions and press-releases prior to the commencement of works. In addition, hon. Members, within whose constituencies work is due to take place are given advance warning of the start of works. Local councillors are also routinely advised.
	In schemes where work takes place entirely within the existing highway boundary, as is the case with the current M6 motorway works in the Walsall, North constituency, there is no obligation upon the Highways Agency to give such additional publicity. However, in view of the close proximity of residents in this case, arrangements were made within the contract for a site-liaison officer to be appointed to regularly communicate with local residents about the progress of the scheme.
	In addition, following representations made by residents' groups, regarding works on the M6 in the Walsall, North constituency further measures have been put in place to keep residents informed. These include regular newsletters and visits by the site-liaison officer to affected residents.
	With regard to the notification of Members whose constituency is adversely affected by major work, it is the Highways Agency's standing practice to give such notification. In the case of this project, my hon. Friend was included in the original notification to MPs and MEPs, sent on 10 September 2008, prior to the commencement of the works.

Motor Vehicles: Safety

Tim Farron: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what regulations govern requirements about the location of lights on vehicles to demonstrate the dimensions of the vehicle.

Paul Clark: The location of lights, including those to indicate the dimensions of vehicles, is set out in the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989.
	In general vehicles must have front and rear position lights fitted within 400 mm of the edge of the vehicle. (For trailers, however, only those above a certain width are required to have front position lamps.) Larger vehicles must also be fitted with end outline marker lamps, and side marker lamps to indicate their width, length and height.

Motorways

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many motorway inter-junction links there are on  (a) motorways and  (b) dual carriageways in England.

Chris Mole: The Strategic Road Network in England is made up of the national motorway and All Purpose Trunk Road (APTR) network. It has  (a) 1,056 junction to junction motorway links; and  (b) 939 major dual carriageway junction to junction links on APTR. There are also 464 major single carriageway junction to junction APTR links.
	Each link is for a single direction only, and for APTRs there may be additional minor junctions within links.

Public and Commercial Services Union

John McDonnell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what the staff-in-post figure is for those grades of staff in relation to which the Public and Commercial Services Union is recognised in  (a) the Highways Agency,  (b) the Maritime and Coastguards Agency and  (c) the Vehicle Certification Agency.

Chris Mole: holding answer 14 December 2009
	The following tables provide the staff in post figures for those grades of staff for which the Highways Agency, the Maritime and Coastguards Agency and the Vehicle Certification Agency recognises the Public and Commercial Services Union:
	
		
			  Highways Agency 
			  Grade  Staff in post 
			 AA (1)- 
			 AO 243 
			 EO 403 
			 HEO 586 
			 SEO 460 
			 Grade 7 251 
			 Grade 6 77 
			 (1) Departmental policy is to suppress figures where there are fewer than five individuals on grounds of confidentiality. 
		
	
	
		
			  Maritime and Coastguard Agency 
			  Grade  Staff in post 
			 AA 148 
			 AO 410 
			 EO 253 
			 HEO 137 
			 SEO 171 
			 Grade 7 95 
			 Grade 6 18 
		
	
	
		
			  Vehicle Certification Agency 
			  Grade  Staff in post 
			 AA 6 
			 AO 34 
			 EO 29 
			 HEO (1)- 
			 SEO 9 
			 Grade 7 (1)- 
			 Grade 6 (1)- 
			 (1) Departmental policy is to suppress figures where there are fewer than five individuals on grounds of confidentiality.

Railways

Robert Key: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport for what reasons rail franchises specify required revenue protection systems.

Chris Mole: Some franchise specifications have included requirements to install ticket gates at specific stations. These requirements are based upon detailed business case analysis and expected revenue increases. In some cases these are specified within the contract because they have a pay-back period longer than the franchise term. Such schemes increase the value of the franchise in future years, reducing the long term cost of the railway to the taxpayer.
	Bidders are also required to detail their wider revenue protection strategies as part of their bids.
	Bidders have proposed gating schemes as part of their own revenue protection strategies and where these are offered the Department for Transport seeks to contractualise this commitment.

Railways: Concessions

Katy Clark: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what mechanisms are in place to prevent the loss of concessionary travel facilities for former employees of a rail business which becomes insolvent; and who the guarantor of last resort is in such cases.

Chris Mole: The Association of Train Operating Companies ('ATOC') Rail Staff Travel Scheme includes provisions which enable employees who have been made redundant as the result of an insolvent event to continue to receive leisure travel services.
	While the Secretary of State approves any proposed changes to the rail staff travel scheme, it is ATOC that operates the Scheme. ATOC may be contacted at:
	3rd Floor
	40 Bernard Street
	London WC1N 1BY
	Telephone: 020 7841 8000

Railways: Exhaust Emissions

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what meetings his Department has had with the Department of Energy and Climate Change on policies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the rail network.

Chris Mole: The Department for Transport works closely with the Department of Energy and Climate Change on a wide range of issues relating to carbon emissions from transport modes, including rail. Consequently, officials from the two Departments are in regular contact and meet on a frequent basis to discuss these and other issues.

Railways: West Yorkshire

John Battle: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how much his Department has spent on rail transport in West Yorkshire since 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mole: The Department for Transport does not hold data on public spending in this level of detail. However, table A9 of the Department's Annual Report and Accounts sets out details of expenditure on the railways by region. Copies of the report are available in the Library of the House and on the Department's website at:
	www.dft.gov.uk

Road Salting and Gritting

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2009,  Official Report, column 544W, on road salting and gritting, when he plans to publish his Department's response to the report of the UK Roads Liaison Group on the preparedness of highway authorities for extreme weather events.

Sadiq Khan: A written statement was made to Parliament on 15 December 2009,  Official Report, columns 122-24WS outlining the Department for Transport's response to the report of the UK Road Liaison Group on highway authorities' preparedness for extreme weather events. This was also published on the Department for Transport's website at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/uk-roads

Road Salting and Gritting

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what discussions he has had with the  (a) Highways Agency and  (b) Salt Union on the distribution of salt to the Highways Agency and local authorities since 9 February 2009.

Sadiq Khan: holding answer 7 January 2010
	The information requested is as follows:
	 (a) Both during February 2009 and immediately following the winter season, a number of discussions were held between the Department for Transport and the Highways Agency to discuss issues arising from the winter and to contribute to the related Transport Select Committee (TSC) hearing and other related events requiring briefing information. Following the TSC hearing, the UK Roads Liaison Group led a review into the severe weather of February 2009, comprising input from the Highways Agency, salt suppliers and the Department for Transport, as well as local authority representation. Discussions between the Department for Transport and Highways Agency were held in both carrying out the review and compiling the subsequent report. Department for Transport Ministers have also had a number of discussions with the Highways Agency to discuss winter resilience, including the distribution of salt.
	 (b) Department for Transport officials have also had a number of discussions with Salt Union and others on similar issues.

Road Salting and Gritting

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what agreements are in place between the Highways Agency and local authorities for the provision of assistance to authorities which require additional salt stocks during extreme weather conditions.

Sadiq Khan: holding answer 7 January 2010
	During periods of severe weather, requests for additional salt stocks from another highway authority (commonly known as mutual aid) are considered on an individual basis. Consideration is given to the criticality of salt stock levels of both the requesting and potential providing authority together with the current weather being experienced. Where possible the Highways Agency will provide mutual aid assistance to other authorities, where this will not impact on the agency's treatment of its network.

Road Salting and Gritting

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport with reference to the answer of 23 February 2009,  Official Report, column 859W, on roads: snow and ice, how many snow ploughs the Highways Agency has bought since February 2009; and how many it intends to buy in the next 12 months.

Sadiq Khan: holding answer 7 January 2010
	Since February 2009, the Highways Agency has purchased a total of 188 salt spreaders, all with snow plough attachments, with a further 90 due to be purchased in the next 12 months. This will complete the winter fleet replacement.

Road Salting and Gritting

Louise Ellman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what progress has been made in implementing the proposals of the UK Roads Liaison Group in relation to severe winter weather; and if he will make a statement.

Sadiq Khan: Local roads are the responsibility of local highway authorities. Strategic roads are managed by the Highways Agency.
	The UK Road Liaison Group (UKRLG) report contains 19 recommendations. Most of the recommendations are addressed to local highway authorities and salt suppliers. It will be for these organisations to decide how best to adopt the recommendations.
	Four recommendations were specifically addressed to this Department and the Highways Agency. My written statement of 15 December 2009,  Official Report, columns 122-24WS advised what action had been taken by this Department and the Highways Agency consistent with those recommendations. These recommendations have been adopted.

Roads: Repairs and Maintenance

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that local highway authorities are fully compensated by utility companies for the additional maintenance costs incurred as a result of activities by those companies.

Sadiq Khan: Companies carrying out works in the street have a legal duty to reinstate roads to the condition they were in before works began. Compliance with this duty will minimise any need for additional maintenance by the highway authority.
	Highway authorities are responsible for enforcing this duty. They may inspect reinstatements, and if they find them to be inadequate, they have powers to require the undertaker to carry out the reinstatement again to the correct standard. If undertakers fail to comply, the authority may carry out the necessary works and recover the costs reasonably incurred by them doing so.
	Standards for reinstatements are set out in the statutory Specification for Reinstatement of Openings in the Highway Code of Practice. The Department for Transport intends to publish revised and updated guidance in April this year.

Taxis: Licensing

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport 
	(1)  what plans he has to reduce the number of unlicensed minicab drivers;
	(2)  what estimate has been made of the number of unlicensed minicab drivers operating in each of the last four years.

Sadiq Khan: In order to offer a private hire vehicle (PHV) service lawfully in England (outside London), the operator, the driver and the vehicle must be licensed by the relevant local authority under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. It is a matter for local licensing authorities to ensure vehicles are licensed in the correct manner, to make assessments of the extent of illegal operation in their area and take appropriate enforcement action where necessary. We do not keep a central record of any such assessments. The Department for Transport issues guidance to local authorities in this respect.

Thameslink Railway Line: Rolling Stock

Edward Timpson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport when his Department plans to announce the successful bidder for the Thameslink rolling stock contract.

Chris Mole: The Department for Transport is currently planning to award the Thameslink order around autumn of this year.

Traffic Lights

Tim Farron: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of replacing all traffic lights with incandescent bulbs with light emitting diodes.

Sadiq Khan: Procurement of traffic lights is a matter for individual highways authorities. The Department for Transport has made no estimate of the cost of replacing all tungsten halogen traffic lights with light emitting diodes.
	Light emitting diode (LED) traffic lights can offer significant energy savings and we are keen for highway authorities to take advantage of their potential. The supply industry and UK highway authorities are working to address the remaining technical and economic issues, and so achieve greater adoption of such lights.

Transport

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what target he has set for the construction of miles of new  (a) road and  (b) rail by 2015.

Chris Mole: holding answer 10 December 2009
	The Department for Transport has neither targets for the construction of specific distances of road and rail.

Transport: EC Action

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what the outcome was of the December EU Transport Council, with particular reference to the discussions on intelligent transport systems; and if he will make a statement.

Sadiq Khan: The December Transport Council took place during the recess. I therefore reported on the outcome of the Council, including the outcome of discussions on intelligent transport systems, in a letter to the Hon. Chairman of the European Scrutiny Committee. The text of that letter is as follows:
	I attended the second Transport Council of the Swedish Presidency, in Brussels on 17 December.
	The Council reached a Political Agreement on a Regulation on the rights of passengers in bus and coach transport. The Regulation aims to make bus and coach transport more attractive, particularly to disabled people and people with reduced mobility; and to create a level playing field across Europe, both between operators and different modes of transport. I was one of several Ministers to maintain reservations on the scope, asking for the Regulation to apply only to long-distance national and international services. Some other Member States argued strongly for widening the scope. The Presidency offered a compromise of removing the compensation and assistance provisions from the application to urban, suburban and regional services. This means that the only provisions from which Member States would not be able to exempt such services would be those requiring that ticket prices and conditions must be offered without any discrimination based on nationality or the place of establishment of the carrier, and that there must be no discrimination on grounds of disability or reduced mobility with regard to booking a journey or boarding a vehicle. This compromise was acceptable to all, and on this basis I accepted the text of the Political Agreement.
	The Council agreed a General Approach on the proposal for an amending Regulation on the establishment of structures for the management of the European satellite radio-navigation programmes. The text of the General Approach was acceptable to the UK.
	There was a Progress Report on a Directive on the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). I joined some other Ministers in opposing mandatory deployment. We only support the further deployment of ITS where there is a sound business case for doing so in pursuit of our transport goals. I expressed the UK view that such decisions should be for Member States, and my understanding that nothing in this Directive prejudices that right. We will continue to regard this as critical in discussions on any future proposals. The Presidency hoped that the Directive could be adopted as soon as possible during the New Year and that agreement will be reached with the European Parliament.
	There was also a Progress report on a proposed Directive on aviation security charges. The UK will continue to work towards achieving a fair and proportionate outcome that balances the interests of passengers and airports.
	The Council reached a General Approach on a Directive on reporting formalities for ships arriving in and/or departing from EU ports. The Directive seeks to facilitate maritime transport by simplifying administrative procedures for ships travelling between EU ports by the introduction of streamlined electronic reporting. I stated that the UK still has some concerns relating to the consistency of the Directive with our e-Borders system. We will seek to see these resolved at a later stage of the negotiating process.
	The Council was unable to agree to the draft Conclusions on the Commission's Communication A sustainable future for transport: Towards an integrated, technology-led and user friendly system. Following the debate therefore, the Presidency issued Conclusions to be used to provide a steer to the Commission on priorities for the next EU Transport White Paper, which is due in 2010.
	The Council adopted a Decision authorising the Commission to negotiate an agreement with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), providing a general framework for enhanced cooperation, with priority given to aviation safety issues in the first instance. We welcome this development. The Presidency made clear that the Decision does not affect relations between individual Member States and ICAO, nor does it affect the arrangements for preparing Community positions for meetings of the ICAO Council.
	There was a Progress Report from the Commission on the negotiation of a second stage air transport agreement with the US. I joined some others in suggesting that the next Transport Council should review progress and consider any new US proposals, particularly on the key issue of investment reform. The Council took note of the state of play, confirmed the importance of reaching a deal in 2010, and noted signs of progress in some areas, but stressed the need for significant progress in other areas (including investment reform and the environment).
	Under AOB, the Commission informed the Council that the outcome of the Galileo procurement process would be announced in a few months time.

West Coast Railway Line: Finance

Edward Timpson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport 
	(1)  how much has been spent on West Coast Main Line stations in 2009-10 to date;
	(2)  what funds remain to be spent on West Coast Main Line stations in 2009-10.

Chris Mole: This information is not collated at route level by the Department for Transport. Network Rail is the custodian of the railway infrastructure, including stations. The Department for Transport defined the strategy and outputs required from the upgrade of the West Coast Main Line, while funding for the works was provided by Network Rail. The hon. Member should, therefore, contact Network Rail's Chief Executive at the following address for a response to his question:
	Iain Coucher
	Chief Executive
	Network Rail
	Kings Place
	90 York Way
	London, N1 9AG.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Animal Welfare

Elliot Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the merits of implementing the European Commission's proposal for a voluntary community animal welfare label for the purposes of standardising labelling of food with animal welfare information.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The EC has outlined a number of options for animal welfare labelling in a recently published report 'Options for animal welfare labelling and the establishment of a European network of Reference Centres for the protection and welfare of animals'. Our approach to welfare labelling will be guided by general principles which we are developing with the EC.

Animal Welfare: Circuses

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Hereford of 7 December 2009,  Official Report, columns 6-7W, on animal welfare: circuses, what source was referred to in the Answer as the findings of the first element; when those findings were discussed with  (a) animal welfare representatives and  (b) industry organisations; and which organisations participated in those discussions.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The source referred to in the answer of 7 December, the first element of the Circus Feasibility Study, was the report and recommendations of the two zoo licensing inspectors who visited two circuses while travelling, and one at their winter quarters.
	The wider findings of the circus feasibility study were discussed on 26 October with animal welfare organisations, including representatives from the RSPCA, Animal Defenders International, Captive Animals Protection Society and the Born Free Foundation. A similar meeting took place with representatives from the circus industry, including Performing Animal Welfare Standards International, Circus Mondao, Bobby Roberts Super Circus and the Great British Circus on 22 October.

Biodiversity

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of implementation in the UK of the Biodiversity Action Plan.

Huw Irranca-Davies: We measure the effectiveness of implementation of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan through the UK Biodiversity Indicators. This was reported in the National Statistics publication 'Biodiversity Indicators in Your Pocket 2007', which was updated most recently in April 2009.
	Overall, 23 (72 per cent.) of the 32 measures that comprise the UK Biodiversity Indicators are 'improving' or show 'little or no overall change' since the year 2000. In particular, 89 per cent. of Sites of Special Scientific Interest are in favourable or recovering condition, agri-environment schemes are leading to significant improvements, and people are spending a lot more time volunteering on biodiversity conservation projects.

Christmas Trees

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department has budgeted for Christmas trees in 2009.

Dan Norris: holding answer 10 December 2009
	The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has no specific Christmas tree budget in 2009. Provision is included within the fixed cost of providing grounds maintenance services to the Department delivered by the workplace support contract.
	Within this contract the total expenditure on (decorated) Christmas trees for 2009 is £1,129.00.

Departmental Art Works

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department spent on art works in the last 12 months.

Dan Norris: From information held centrally, the core-Department had no expenditure on artworks in the last 12 months. As a general rule, all works of art displayed are from the Government Art Collection (GAC), which publishes an annual list of acquisitions. The most recent details of acquisition made by the GAC were published on 5 October 2009 and are available on the GAC website:
	http://www.gac.culture.gov.uk/information/publications.asp

Departmental Assets

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assets of his Department are planned to be sold in each year from 2009-10 to 2013-14; what the  (a) description and  (b) book value of each such asset is; what the expected revenue from each such sale is; and if he will make a statement.

Dan Norris: The Government have stated their intention to realise £16 billion in asset disposals over the period 2011-14 and they published further details of opportunities to commercialise business assets in the Operational Efficiency Programme: Asset Prospectus on 7 December 2009. This presented different options for ownership on a number of public sectors assets. British Waterways and the Public Forest Estate in England were the two DEFRA assets included in the prospectus-the Government do not currently have plans to sell either asset.
	The Department has approximately £6.9 million (book value £10.2 million) of surplus properties for disposal this year arising from the sale of land, residential and office premises. Anticipated disposals from land and laboratory premises are expected to realise £9 million in 2010-11 (book value £8 million) and £2 million in 2011-12 (book value £10 million). There are currently no identified disposals for years beyond 2011-12.

Departmental Billing

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what proportion of invoices submitted to his Department have been paid within 10 days in each month since October 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Dan Norris: The following table shows the percentage of invoices paid within 10 days by the core-Department and, the volume of invoices received where the data are available.
	
		
			  Month  Invoice volume  10 day performance (percentage) 
			 November 2008 n/a 33.5 
			 December 2008 n/a 77.1 
			 January 2009 n/a 99.8 
			 February 2009 n/a 99.8 
			 March 2009 n/a 99.4 
			 April 2009 n/a 99.7 
			 May 2009 3,091 99.9 
			 June 2009 2,799 99.8 
			 July 2009 3,141 99.8 
			 August 2009 2,439 100 
			 September 2009 2,442 99.7 
			 October 2009 2,956 100 
			 November 2009 2,070 99.95

Departmental Buildings

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department spent on works and refurbishment to offices allocated to Ministers in his Department's buildings in the last 12 months.

Dan Norris: The Department has spent nothing in the last 12 months on refurbishment works in respect of offices allocated to Ministers.

Departmental Conferences

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost to his Department was of holding the Waste and Resources Action Programme exhibition in the Palace of Westminster in November 2009.

Dan Norris: The exhibition space in the Upper Waiting Hall in Parliament is provided free of charge for one week to not-for-profit organisations that wish to inform parliamentarians of their work. Such organisations must be supported by their local Member of Parliament, who applies for the space on their behalf. Government-funded organisations such as the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) must also gain the approval of their sponsoring Department.
	The cost of designing and constructing the exhibition stand and display materials used by WRAP in Parliament was £8,200. These will be used at future exhibitions and events, with almost all elements of the stand and its display materials being reusable. In line with WRAP's remit to promote resource efficiency, the stand is made from cardboard containing 75 per cent. recycled content, and is fully recyclable at the end of its life, unlike traditional exhibition stands.
	The exhibition, designed to demonstrate how resource efficiency could benefit businesses across the UK, generated considerable interest among hon. Members and their staff.

Departmental Conferences

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent by his Department and its agencies on conferences they organised which were subsequently cancelled in each of the last three years; and what the title was of each such conference.

Dan Norris: The Department and its agencies run conferences on specific issues where will feel benefit will be had. Where appropriate we send delegates to other organisations' conferences whose work is relevant to our own.
	Statistics on conferences are not collated centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Correspondence

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he will reply to the letter from Derf Paton of Ramley Road, Lymington on Wightlink and the Lymington River, dated 8 November 2009.

Huw Irranca-Davies: I have no record of a letter from Mr. Paton dated 8 November. I replied to Mr. Paton's latest letter dated 19 November on 14 December, however.

Departmental Information Officers

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many full-time equivalent press officers  (a) are employed by and  (b) work for his Department.

Dan Norris: In April 2009 the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs employed 16.5 full-time equivalent press officers, and two full-time equivalent press officers worked for the Department on temporary contracts.

Departmental Internet

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what redesigns of websites operated by  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies have taken place since 27 June 2007; and what the (i) cost to the public purse and (ii) date of completion of each such redesign was.

Dan Norris: The DEFRA website has undergone a single redesign since the creation of the Department in 2001. This went live on 17 September 2009 and external costs for this (for audience research, web structure analysis, design and accessibility auditing) totalled £181,378. It is not possible to separate out the internal staff costs for this work.
	The Food and Environment Research Agency website design was completed in 31 March 2009. The cost of external website design company work was £11,643.75. Of this cost, approximately £2,250 would come under the heading of 'Strategy and planning', the remainder would come under the heading 'Design and build'. The website is hosted on FERA's own IT infrastructure and it is not possible to disaggregate the costs associated with hosting the website. 'Content provision' and 'Testing and evaluation' were all carried out in house. It is not possible to separate out the internal staff costs for this work.
	The redesign of the CEFAS website has cost £25,500. This work is still ongoing with a planned launch date of the end of January 2010.
	The Marine and Fisheries Agency website did have a redesign to apply the then-DEFRA design templates. This went live on 1 December 2007 and this design is still live today. There were no specific redesign costs for this.
	The RPA Website has not been redesigned during this period. The Cattle Tracing System Online transactional website, which enables farmers to submit cattle birth and movement data directly to RPA's central tracing system was completely rebuilt during 2008 and 2009 on new hardware and software. This has provided enhanced functionality and improved security through the Government Gateway at a total project cost of £3,959,270. The vast majority of the cost was on developing and testing hardware and software to support the interactive transactional services to customers and the spend on web design, which cannot be separated from the total spend, was a small proportion of the overall cost.
	The Veterinary Laboratories Agency website was redesigned during 2007-08 to improve its template design, navigation and accessibility. The new site went live on 29 April 2008 and external costs totalled £9,394.13.
	Other DEFRA agencies have not carried out redesigns of their websites during this period.

Departmental Legislation

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criminal offences have been  (a) created and  (b) abolished by secondary legislation sponsored by his Department since 1 May 2008.

Dan Norris: The Department has made over 130 statutory instruments since 1 May 2008. These instruments would need to be assessed manually to establish the number of offences they contain. I consider therefore that the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies spent on (i) alcohol and (ii) entertainment in the last 12 months.

Dan Norris: The core-Department's financial system does not have expenditure categories for alcohol and entertainment. All expenditure has to be incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the HM Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.

Departmental Procurement

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether there has been any nugatory cost to  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies arising from tendered procurement in circumstances where the tender process has been cancelled prior to the award of the contract in the last five years.

Dan Norris: Any such nugatory cost incurred by the Department and its agencies is not information held centrally and, if extant, could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Scientists

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many  (a) scientific advisers and  (b) civil servants in scientific posts there are in his Department.

Dan Norris: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has a chief scientific adviser, Professor Robert Watson. DEFRA does not hold data on the number of scientific posts it has in the department and these data could be collated only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Security

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many security passes his Department has issued to contractors providing consultancy services in the last 12 months.

Dan Norris: All contractors providing consultancy or other services who require access to a DEFRA building are issued with appropriate security passes, subject to security clearance procedures. When access is no longer required, the passes are withdrawn. Disaggregating the number of security passes issued to contractors providing consultancy services in the last 12 months would incur disproportionate costs.

Departmental Sick Leave

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many days sickness absence were taken by staff in his Department and its agencies in each of the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what the cost to his Department was of such absence.

Dan Norris: DEFRA manages sickness absences in line with its sickness absence policy. This includes facilitating timely employee access to occupational health advice, medical or wellbeing interventions. Long-term sick employees are encouraged to return to work on a programme of recuperative duties where appropriate. All individuals returning to work from sickness absence will have a welcome back meeting with their manager. This is to discuss their reasons for absence and, where necessary, work-related issues connected with their absence including provision of workplace adjustments.
	The number of days of sickness absence taken by staff in DEFRA and its agencies in each of the last 12 months could be calculated only by incurring disproportionate cost. However, the total number of working days lost due to sickness in the year to 30 September 2009 (the latest available figure) in DEFRA and its agencies was 80,900, an average of 8.1 days per employee. The estimated cost of sickness absence in 2008-09 was £9.6 million.
	There is no agreed method of calculating the cost of sickness absences in the civil service. DEFRA has calculated the annual cost by multiplying the number of working days lost due to sickness in each grade by the average salary for that grade. No account has been taken of staff on long-term sick who are on reduced or no pay, which would reduce the total.

Departmental Training

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies spent on away days in the last 12 months; and what the (i) subject and (ii) location of each away day was.

Dan Norris: This information is not held centrally and the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	All public expenditure has to be incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on regularity and propriety. Subject to those principles business areas have discretion whether or not to hold away days having regard to the evaluation of alternative options and, value for money considerations.

Departmental Written Questions

John Mason: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many questions tabled for answer on a named day his Department received in each of the last 12 months; and to how many such questions his Department provided a substantive answer on the day named.

Dan Norris: DEFRA received 551 questions for answer on a named day between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2009. Of those, 319 received an answer on the named day.
	Central guidance on answering Parliamentary Questions is now available in the Guide to Parliamentary Work, at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/parliamentary-clerk-guide.aspx
	In the response to the Procedure Committee Report on written parliamentary questions, the Government accepted the Committee's recommendation that departments be required to provide the Procedure Committee with sessional statistics in a standard format on the time taken to respond to written parliamentary questions, accompanied by an explanatory memorandum setting out any factors affecting their performance. This will be taken forward as soon as possible.

Departmental Written Questions

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what percentage of Parliamentary Questions tabled for written answer by his Department on a named day in session 2008-09 received a substantive answer on that day.

Dan Norris: DEFRA received 545 questions for answer on a named day in session 2008-09. Of those, 282 or 51.7 per cent. received an answer on the named day.
	Central guidance on answering parliamentary questions is now available in the Guide to Parliamentary Work, at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/parliamentary-clerk-guide.aspx
	In the response to the Procedure Committee Report on written parliamentary questions, the Government accepted the Committee's recommendation that Departments be required to provide the Procedure Committee with sessional statistics in a standard format on the time taken to respond to written parliamentary questions, accompanied by an explanatory memorandum setting out any factors affecting their performance. This will be taken forward as soon as possible.

Domestic Waste: Recycling

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what recent  (a) discussions he has had with and  (b) representations he has received from (i) his EU counterparts and (ii) representatives of the European Commission on reward schemes for people recycling waste; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps his Department  (a) is taking and  (b) plans to take to develop a framework to reward people for recycling waste; what recent representations he has received on this matter; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what recent reports he has received of the effectiveness of schemes operating in other EU countries to reward people for recycling waste; and if he will make a statement.

Dan Norris: Schemes which reward people for recycling more and minimising waste are provided for by powers introduced in the Climate Change Act. The Act allows up to five local authorities in England to pilot waste incentive schemes to encourage household waste minimisation and recycling, which will have real environmental benefits. Reward-only and voucher-based schemes are included within the scope of the powers. It is up to local authorities to make a proposal to the Secretary of State for permission to run a pilot, in line with local needs. None have yet done so. I have not had any discussions with or received any representations or reports from EU counterparts or representatives from the EU Commission on reward schemes for recycling waste.

Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 26 October 2009,  Official Report, column 47W, on domestic waste: waste disposal, what the piece of research on landfill bans is which has been published; what the  (a) timetable,  (b) reference number,  (c) commissioned institution,  (d) terms of reference and  (e) title is of the other piece of research; and what the timetable is for the consultation referred to.

Dan Norris: The first piece of research entitled Landfill bans and restrictions in the EU and US was prepared by Green Alliance and published on the DEFRA website in September 2009 (reference number WR1202).
	The second piece of research has been jointly commissioned by DEFRA and the devolved Administrations through the Waste and Resources Action Programme. The research investigates the environmental, economic and practical impact of landfill bans. The report is expected to be published early in 2010.
	As previously announced, it is our intention to consult publicly on the case for introducing further restrictions on the landfilling of certain wastes. The consultation will be launched early in 2010.

Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 19 May 2009,  Official Report, column 1282W, on domestic waste: waste disposal, whether the WR1205 research report has been provided to his Department.

Dan Norris: WR1205 is a project that has not yet begun. Research report WR1204, referenced in the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) of 19 May 2009,  Official Report, column 1282W, has been completed and is available from DEFRA's website at:
	www.defra.gov.uk
	using the search term WR1204.

Driving

Stephen Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what mechanisms are in place to ensure that staff who drive  (a) a vehicle for which (i) his Department and (ii) one of its Executive agencies is responsible have valid driving licences and  (b) their own vehicles in the course of their official duties for (A) his Department and (B) one of its Executive agencies have valid driving licences and insurance; what guidance is issued to those staff in respect of road safety while carrying out official duties; what steps are taken to monitor compliance with that guidance; what requirements there are on such staff to report to their line managers accidents in which they are involved while driving in the course of their official duties; and whether such reports are investigated.

Dan Norris: The core-Department's Driving Policy and Guidance applies to all driving and travel by staff on official DEFRA business. It covers the Marine Fisheries Agency and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate also. Other DEFRA departmental bodies should have their own equivalent arrangements in place in line with DEFRA's Safety Policy signed off by the permanent secretary.
	Individual employees must follow all procedures and guidance extant to keep them safe and healthy while driving and travelling on DEFRA business. They must have:
	(i) a full valid UK driving licence for a properly taxed vehicle and appropriate motor insurance;
	(ii) obtained a driving permit from the relevant official vehicle manager if using a DEFRA owned vehicle or, hiring a car from a car hire company;
	(iii) submit their driving licence, insurance, MOT documents and proof of vehicle tax details to their manager on request annually as part of the risk assessment process applicable to driving on official business. Managers are responsible for ensuring compliance with this risk assessment requirement; and
	(iv) report motoring convictions, offences, accidents and incidents.
	Senior managers must, in accordance with the DEFRA Safety Policy, ensure compliance with this policy in areas within their span of control. This includes provision of budget for appropriate training where identified and nominating a named person or persons to co-ordinate risk assessments for driving and travel activities within their control. They are required to ensure the safe and efficient operation of vehicles used on official business.
	Drivers must observe all legal requirements with regard to reporting accidents. All incidents and accidents (including near misses) that occur on an official journey must be reported to the departmental health and safety unit (DHSU). Accidents or incidents involving a pool or Private Use Scheme car must also be reported to core-DEFRA's travel liaison unit and the contracted supplier for accidents and breakdowns.
	Managers must ensure reporting of all accidents, injuries or near misses, monitor the effectiveness of preventative measures by investigating accidents and near misses, carry out initial investigations, and review local risk assessments, following accidents, incidents and near misses, keep appropriate records of documentation checks, and request copies of vehicle check lists from individual drivers at regular intervals.
	The DHSU monitor accident/incident reports to identify trends, advise managers where requested and investigate accidents and incidents if so requested, arrange training as necessary, keep a central log of completed risk assessments and regularly audit completed risk assessments.

Electronic Equipment: Waste Disposal

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the effects of zero exemption fees and small scale activities relating to environmental permit exemptions and the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive; and if he will make a statement.

Dan Norris: We have just completed a fundamental review of exemptions from the need for an environmental permit for waste operations. Revised regulations will come into force on 6 April 2010. One of the aspects of the review was funding the recovery of the Environment Agency's costs of registering exempt waste operations and carrying out appropriate periodic inspection. Currently, some exemptions from permitting are subject to annual registration fees, while the majority are not. We consulted on proposals to introduce a £50 fee for the registration of most exemptions. The majority of those who responded to this consultation were against the introduction of fees.
	The Government concluded that in the current economic climate, imposing charges may discourage the take-up of small-scale waste recycling and recovery operations and have a disproportionate impact on small businesses. The Government therefore decided not to prescribe charges for the registration of exempt waste operations or to provide the Environment Agency with powers to introduce charges under its scheme of charging, agreed each year with the Secretary of State.
	The exception to this is the exemption for the treatment of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), which is already subject to a registration fee to recover the costs of the mandatory annual inspection required under the WEEE Directive, 2002/96/EC. Under the revised regulations, the level of the registration fee for the WEEE exemption for the new three-year registration period will be in line with the current charges for annual registration and will be set out in the scheme of charges for 2010.

Fly Tipping

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what volume of waste he estimates was illegally fly-tipped in each year from 2004 to date, broken down by  (a) the nature of this waste and  (b) local authority area.

Dan Norris: DEFRA does not hold the information requested. While instances of fly-tipping are recorded, volumes are not.

Food

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the  (a) monetary value and  (b) volume of imports of (i) wheat, (ii) barley, (iii) fresh vegetables, (iv) potatoes, (v) fresh fruit, (vi) beef and veal, (vii) pork, (viii) bacon and ham, (ix) mutton and lamb, (x) poultry meat, (xi) eggs and (xii) liquid milk from each country of dispatch in each year since 1997.

Jim Fitzpatrick: A copy of the information requested will be placed in the House Library.

Food

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the  (a) monetary value and  (b) volume of exports of (i) wheat, (ii) barley, (iii) fresh vegetables, (iv) potatoes, (v) fresh fruit, (vi) beef and veal, (vii) pork, (viii) bacon and ham, (ix) mutton and lamb, (x) poultry meat, (xi) eggs and (xii) liquid milk to each country of destination in each year since 1997.

Jim Fitzpatrick: A copy of the information requested will be placed in the House Library.

Food

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the reasons for food wastage; what his estimate is of the amount and proportion of food which was wasted in the latest period for which information is available; and what steps his Department is taking to reduce such waste.

Dan Norris: The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) published the findings of new research into the quantity of household food and drink waste in November 2009 which revealed that 8.3 million tonnes of food and drink are thrown away by households each year, most of which (5.3 million tonnes) could have been consumed. This avoidable food and drink waste is worth £12 billion, on average costing around £480 for every household a year, increasing to £680 a year for households with children.
	In the study, three reasons for avoidable food waste were identified; cooked, prepared or served too much; not used in time and other. Just over half of avoidable food and drink waste is classified as 'not used in time', with a value of approximately £250 per household per year, and a further 40 per cent. falling into the category of 'cooked, prepared or served too much'.
	Much of the food and drink that is wasted is unnecessary and can usually be avoided, and we are now focusing on how to change people's behaviour, and incentivise retailers to play a more active role. The Government are doing this through their ongoing work with WRAP to cut significantly the amount of food wasted in the supply chain and in the home. This requires a twin-track approach-working closely with retailers and manufacturers, and also directly with householders.
	DEFRA funds WRAP to deliver the Love Food Hate Waste campaign which is aimed at helping consumers more effectively manage their shopping and food storage and usage to help cut down on food waste and save money, through providing a number of pieces of advice and information via various media.
	The Government are also collaborating with WRAP and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) on a project which will help prevent consumer food waste through the application and increased understanding of date labelling (use by, best before, sell by, display until etc.), and food storage and use guidance.
	The Courtauld Commitment between Government (represented by WRAP) and the grocery sector also includes a target to reduce household food waste by 155,000 tonnes over a three-year period (ending in March 2010), which places an onus on the industry to implement means of helping consumers to reduce waste-such as clearer and more informative storage and usage guidance and new ranges of product sizes more in line with contemporary consumer demand.
	Charitable organisations are also working to minimise food waste by providing the food industry, including supermarkets and restaurants, with an outlet for good quality surplus food by redistributing it to vulnerable people in the community.

Geographical Information Systems

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 19 May 2009,  Official Report, column 1284W, on geographical information systems, whether the definition of cadastral parcels has been finalised for the purposes of implementation of the INSPIRE Directive.

Dan Norris: The draft INSPIRE Implementing Rule for Annex I Data Specifications (including Cadastral Parcels) was unanimously passed by the INSPIRE Comitology Committee on 14 December 2009. This document will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union later in 2010 as a Regulation.
	The Implementing Rule does not further define the scope beyond the INSPIRE Directive statement as Areas defined by cadastral registers or equivalent. The INSPIRE Feature Concept Dictionary extends that definition and this is also developed in the INSPIRE Cadastral Parcels Data Specification Guidelines at:
	http://inspire.jrc.ec.europa.eu/index.cfm/pageid/2
	From this it can be inferred, that the minimum requirement for the United Kingdom, is the legal property land parcel data, recorded as vector data, by the Land Registries in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Those data are dependent on Ordnance Survey data in Great Britain and Land and Property Services data in Northern Ireland.

Immobilisation of Vehicles

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department and its predecessor have paid in vehicle clamping charges incurred on  (a) privately-owned and  (b) publicly-owned land in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Dan Norris: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Department would expect clamping charges and any other motoring fines to be paid by the individual(s) who incurred them.

Poultry: Animal Welfare

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he plans to introduce a ban on the trimming of the beaks of laying hens in England from January 2011.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Government have accepted advice from the Farm Animal Welfare Council, an independent advisory body, that a complete ban on beak trimming of laying hens should not be introduced from 1 January 2011 (as is currently in legislation), but should be deferred until it can be demonstrated reliably under commercial conditions that laying hens can be managed without beak trimming, without a greater risk to their welfare than that caused by beak trimming itself.
	The Government will shortly issue a consultation on proposed amendments to the Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) Regulations 2007 (as amended) to remove the total ban on beak trimming, to allow for routine beak trimming of day old chicks intended for laying to be done using the infra-red technique only.

Tuna: Conservation

Richard Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his Department's negotiating position is on the proposal to include Atlantic bluefin tuna (thunnus thynnus) on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The UK has publicly supported the need for improved protection of Atlantic bluefin tune. The UK and other EU member states are currently considering the positive outcomes of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) annual meeting in November 2009. We are looking to see whether the measures agreed at the meeting provide sufficient reassurance that the regional fisheries management organisation can, and will, take the necessary steps to turn around the dramatic decline in the species population. Consequently, we have not yet ruled out the need for a convention on international trade in endangered species (CITES) Appendix I listing, and it certainly remains an option under consideration in the run up to the CITES Conference of Parties meeting in March this year.

Waste and Resources Action Programme

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 18 May 2009,  Official Report, columns 1138-9W, on the Waste and Resources Action Programme, what  (a) services and  (b) publications the Association of Cities and Regions for Recycling and Sustainable Resource Management has provided to the programme.

Dan Norris: Membership of the Association of Cities and Regions for Recycling and Sustainable Resource Management (ACR+) network gives access to research reports, conference proceedings, newsletters and gives discounts for attendance at conferences. It also allows effective sharing of information between approximately 100 local and regional authorities that have a shared interest in waste management and resource recovery. It also facilitates joint participation in research projects, allowing costs to be spread and reducing duplication of effort.

Waste and Resources Action Programme: Finance

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the written ministerial statement of 24 November 2009,  Official Report, columns 48-9WS, on departmental expenditure limit (2009-10), for what reason the funding for the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) is being transferred to the Department for Energy and Climate Change; and which department is now the sponsoring department for WRAP.

Dan Norris: In Budget 2009, the Chancellor announced that he was making available £10 million to support the development of anaerobic digestion and in-vessel composting projects in 2009-2010. Some £8.4 million of this funding was allocated to DEFRA with the remainder going to the devolved administrations. DEFRA and the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) decided that the timescales associated with the planning and construction of new anaerobic digestion and in-vessel composting projects precluded DEFRA from fully utilising the Budget 2009 funding in the current financial year. Therefore DEFRA, HM Treasury and DECC agreed that £4.4 million of this allocation should be transferred to the latter to allow it to accelerate the implementation of the Anaerobic Digestion Demonstration Programme in 2009-2010. This programme is delivered by WRAP on behalf of DEFRA, but is funded by DECC's Environmental Transformation Fund. In recognition of this arrangement, DECC will be making a reciprocal transfer of £4.4 million to DEFRA in 2010-2011.
	WRAP is mainly funded by DEFRA with subsidiary funding from DECC and the devolved administrations. Therefore DEFRA remains the sponsoring department for WRAP.

Water Charges

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent estimate he has made of the likely change to customer bills following the transfer of private sewers and drains to water company ownership; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The impact assessment that accompanied my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs' announcement on 15 December 2008 estimated the increase in sewerage customers' bills to be between £4 and £12 per year, which is around 7.5p to 23p a week.
	The impact assessment is available on DEFRA's website.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Departmental Billing

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of invoices submitted to his Department have been paid within 10 days in each month since October 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The Home Department has invested significantly in its people, with the creation of a professional Shared Service Centre and Procurement Centre of Excellence complemented by the creation of new processes and upgraded Procure to Pay systems.
	The Department has been putting a firm focus on paying its suppliers on time when it is in receipt of a compliant invoice. It has been working closely with colleagues in the Department for Business Innovation and Skills reporting on both our legislative obligations of 30 days as well as the 10 day PM's commitment for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) for correctly presented compliant invoices.
	The Home Office performance for paying all invoices within 30 days and paying SME compliant invoices within 10 days for the period October 2008 to November 2009 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Table 1: The Home Office performance of paying total number of invoices within 30 days and SME compliant invoices within 10 days for the period October 2008 to November 2009 
			   Home Office 
			  Month  Total number of all  invoices paid  Percentage of total number of all invoices paid within 30 days  Number of SMEs' compliant invoices paid within 10 days  SMEs, percentage of compliant invoices paid with 10 days 
			 October 2008 7,122 83 (1)- (1)- 
			 November 2008 5,336 79 (1)- (1)- 
			 December 2008 5,934 91 (1)- (1)- 
			 January 2009 3,975 83 (1)- (1)- 
			 February 2009 6,185 94 649 100 
			 March 2009 8,622 93 770 10O 
			 April 2009 3,929 84 927 100 
			 May 2009 3,749 87 667 98 
			 June 2009 4,112 89 880 99 
			 July 2009 3,840 92 789 99 
			 August 2009 3,601 90 734 99 
			 September 2009 3,517 90 871 99 
			 October 2009 4,465 91 1,159 100 
			 November 2009 4,949 91 1,208 100 
			 (1) Not recorded prior to PM's announcement to pay all SMEs within 10 days. 
		
	
	The Criminal Records Bureau's (CRB) started to record performance of paying invoices in April 2009 and to provide information before this date would incur disproportionate cost. CRB's performance of paying invoices within 10 days for the period April 2009 to November 2009 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Table 2: CRB performance of paying SME invoices within 10 days for the period April 2009 to November 2009 
			  Month  Total number of all invoices  Number of SME invoices paid within  10 days  SME percentage of invoices paid within  10 days 
			 April 2009 285 115 40.00 
			 May 2009 234 135 25.93 
			 June 2009 256 140 36.43 
			 July 2009 414 160 57.50 
			 August 2009 450 92 34.78 
			 September 2009 474 173 33.53 
			 October 2009 235 112 61.61 
			 November 2009 323 193 72.54

Departmental Energy

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the energy efficiency rating is of each of his Department's buildings in London.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 15 December 2009
	 Display Energy Certificates (DEC) were introduced in 2008. OGC publish central Government Departments' Display Energy Certificate (DEC) operational ratings on a building by building level twice a year. The most recent data for the Home Office, published on 31 July 2009, which includes DEC ratings up to and including 28 February 2009 can be seen via this link:
	http://www.ogc.gov.uk/documents/Pan_Govt_DEC_Feb09.xls
	Data to October 2008 can be seen via this link:
	http://www.ogc.gov.uk/documents/Pan_Govt_DEC_Oct08.xls
	Data to 30 September 2009 can be seen via this link:
	http://www.ogc.gov.uk/documents/Pan_Govt_DEC_Data_ Sept09.xls

Departmental Lost Property

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) laptop computers,  (b) desktop computers and  (c) memory sticks his Department and its agencies have recorded as (i) stolen and (ii) lost in each of the last 10 years and how many of each were (A) stolen and (B) lost from its offices in Scotland in each such year.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 14 December 2009
	 The Home Office group only holds the information requested from 2005 onwards. The following table sets out the IT equipment that was recorded as lost (or missing) and stolen:
	
		
			   Laptops  Desk top computers  Memory sticks 
			   Lost  Stolen  Lost  Stolen  Lost  Stolen 
			 2005 3 11 0 12 0 0 
			 2006 4 10 0 0 0 0 
			 2007 3 12 0 0 2 1 
			 2008 3 26 0 2 5 0 
		
	
	None of the equipment identified in the question by the hon. Member was reported stolen or lost from any Home Office building in Scotland.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer of 12 October 2009,  Official Report, column 522W, on departmental expenditure, on what dates conference facilities at City Inn were hired by his Department; and for what reason rooms in his Department's building in Marsham Street were not used in each case.

Phil Woolas: The previous answer given on 12 October 2009,  Official Report, column 522W, stated, in error, that rooms were hired on four occasions.
	The Department has made payments totalling £4,449 to City Inn, Westminster for the hire of conference facilities on three occasions: 2 April 2008; 8 April 2008; and 8 September 2008.
	At the time of two of these meetings, the meeting rooms and conference facilities in Marsham Street were already booked. Conference facilities were not suitable at Marsham Street for the third meeting because of the large number of conference delegates.
	All Home Office expenditure conforms to the principles of regularity, propriety and value for money, and any other guidance as applicable contained within Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.

Departmental Training

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) away days and  (b) conferences that took place outside his Department's building attended by civil servants in his Department there have been since 2005; and what the cost was of each.

Phil Woolas: The Home Office accounting system does not separately identify expenditure on staff away days. To provide the requested detail would incur disproportionate cost.

Departmental Training

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the  (a) date,  (b) location and  (c) cost was of each of the last four away days attended by a Minister in his Department; and which Minister attended on each occasion.

Phil Woolas: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I given on 15 December 2009,  Official Report, column 1110W. Home Office Ministers were also in attendance at the away days held by the Home Office Board.

Departmental Written Questions

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of Parliamentary Questions tabled for written Answer by his Department on a named day in session 2008-09 received a substantive Answer on that day.

David Hanson: 842 parliamentary questions for named day response were tabled to the Home Office during the 2008-09 parliamentary session. 129 (15 per cent.) of these questions received a substantive answer on the day named.
	Central guidance on answering parliamentary questions is now available in the 'Guide to Parliamentary Work', at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/parliamentary-clerk-guide.aspx
	In the response to the Procedure Committee Report on Written Parliamentary questions, the Government accepted the Committee's recommendation that Departments be required to provide the Procedure Committee with sessional statistics in a standard format on the time taken to respond to written parliamentary questions, accompanied by an explanatory memorandum setting out any factors affecting their performance. This will be taken forward as soon as possible.

Deportation

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were  (a) subject to deportation proceedings and  (b) deported on national security grounds in each year since 2001.

Phil Woolas: The UK Border Agency is committed to ensuring that we remove those foreign nationals who pose a risk of harm to our society. In 2007, we removed or deported 4,200 foreign national prisoners who met our criteria for deportation. We continued to build upon this success in 2008, when we removed or deported 5,395. In the first half to 2009, the agency removed 2,560(1) foreign criminals.
	Figures are unavailable prior to 2007, and could be obtained through the examination of individual records only at a disproportionate cost.
	Comprehensive details of the numbers of cases where a notice of intention to deport on grounds of national security are not available for the period 2001-04. However, nine people have been deported on grounds of national security since 2005, three in 2006, six in 2007 and zero in 2008.
	(1) These figures are based on provisional MI information.

Employment Tribunals Service

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many industrial tribunals relating to his Department have been held in each of the last five years; and what the total cost was of such tribunals in each such year.

Phil Woolas: The number of times the Home Office, including the UK Border Agency (UKBA), Identity and Passport Service (IPS) and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), have been taken to a full employment tribunal hearing in each of the last five years is as follows:
	 2004-05
	Neither Home Office HQ nor UKBA hold this information centrally, which could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
	Neither IPS nor CRB were taken to a full employment tribunal.
	 2005-06
	There were fewer than five full employment tribunal hearings. Further information is therefore withheld on confidentiality grounds.
	 2006-07
	There were 10 full employment tribunal hearings.
	 2007-08
	There were seven full employment tribunal hearings.
	 2008-09
	There were 11 full employment tribunal hearings.
	The Home Office does not maintain a central record of costs incurred in contesting employment tribunals (formerly industrial tribunals). The information required could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

Entry Clearances

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the longest time taken to process an asylum application from a former Iraqi locally employed civilian awaiting an asylum decision has been since the inception of the Locally Employed Staff Assistance Scheme.

Phil Woolas: Former locally engaged civilians in Iraq who meet the criteria as set out in the Foreign Secretary's statement of 30 October 2007 can request assistance in the form of resettlement to the UK. Their applications are considered to be activated at the point that the UK Border Agency is referred their resettlement application by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Before this time, they will have submitted an application form for assistance under the Locally Engaged Staff Assistance Scheme, but not an application for resettlement or any immigration category to the UK. The longest time it has taken to process an application is 13 months from the time when the UNHCR submitted the application to the date on which the UK Border Agency issued the decision after interview. The average time is five months.

Entry Clearances

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent steps his Department has taken to expedite the asylum process for those Iraqi locally employed civilians who are awaiting a decision on an asylum application; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: Several steps have been taken to streamline the decision making process for former locally engaged staff who are being considered for resettlement to the UK. The UK Border Agency has reduced the timeframe from registration with UNHCR to interview with UK Border Agency staff from four months to less than two months. We have also reduced the timeframe between interview date and the decision being made from three months to one and a half months, where no further investigation is required.
	We have also responded positively to requests to undertake additional selection missions by staging three interviewing missions previously unplanned. This has ensured that regular numbers of locally engaged staff have been interviewed every quarter during the year and had their decisions made in a timely fashion.
	The UK Border Agency is unable to process an application until former locally engaged civilians are outside of Iraq and have been assessed by the UNHCR. Some have delayed their travel because they wished to complete medical treatment or studies in Iraq which is outside of our control. An application is only activated once UNHCR submits their application to the UK Border Agency.
	Time frames for decision making are communicated to locally engaged staff at the time of their interview and at regular intervals through meetings with the LE staff manager based in Amman.

Entry Clearances: Overseas Students

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many entry visas for students attending colleges which were subsequently closed on the intervention of the UK Border Agency were issued in  (a) 2007 and  (b) 2008; and how many such visas were issued between 1 January and 31 October 2009.

Phil Woolas: Since the introduction of PBS Tier 4 on 31 March 2009, UKBA has the authority to suspend or revoke the licence of a college. Of the 1,800 colleges currently licensed, 14 had their licences revoked between 1 April and 31 October this year. The number of visas issued to students attending these colleges in 2007, 2008 and 2009 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  College  2007  2008  2009  Grand total 
			 Bells College 37 48 175 260 
			 Brookes College 1 - - 1 
			 Concept Care College 18 88 97 203 
			 Holborn School of Finance and Management - 5 3 8 
			 London Academy for Higher Education 62 82 58 202 
			 London College of Science and Technology 81 16 52 149 
			 London College Wimbledon 112 137 292 541 
			 London Reading College 225 340 456 1,021 
			 London School of Language t/a Great Chapel College 181 207 61 449 
			 Middlesex College 197 152 183 532 
			 St Martin's Business School 22 37 5 64 
			 The Muslim college 3 8 1 12 
			 Waterloo School of English 68 43 60 171 
			 Grand Total 1,007 1,163 1,443 3,613

Entry Clearances: Overseas Students

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many students have been  (a) served with enforcement notices and  (b) deported since the implementation of Tier 4 of the points-based immigration system.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 25 November 2009
	Tier 4 of the points based system was implemented on 31 March 2009, replacing the previous arrangements for overseas students to come and study in the UK.
	Between 31 March 2009 and 14 December 2009 2101 former students, which would include people who were students under the arrangements which applied before the implementation of Tier 4, have been served with enforcement form IS 151A of which 1,811 have been removed from the UK.
	These figures are not provided under National Statistics protocols and have been derived from local management information. They are therefore provisional and subject to change.

Entry Clearances: Overseas Students

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 30 November 2009,  Official Report, column 481W, on entry clearances: overseas students, how many and what percentage of administrative reviews have been completed within 28 days.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 15 December 2009
	 As I advised the hon. Member in my answer of 30 November 2009,  Official Report, column 481W, we do not record information on the duration of the administrative review process.

Flanagan Review of Policing

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the recommendations of the Flanagan Review of Policing have  (a) been implemented (i) in full and (ii) in part and  (b) not been implemented; on which date each such recommendation was implemented; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: Sir Ronnie Flanagan's Independent Review of Policing in England and Wales was published in two stages: his interim report in September 2007 containing 26 recommendations; and his full report in February 2008 containing a further 33 recommendations.
	31 of the recommendations across both reports have been noted as closed, indicating they have either been implemented or developed under another recommendation. These recommendations are listed in table 1.
	Work is in progress to deliver a further 27 recommendations which have been partially implemented. The recommendations that we assess to be in this category are listed in table 2. Recommendation three in the interim report was considered as part of the Green Paper, but has not been progressed.
	Work is being taken forward in conjunction with the National Policing Improvement Agency and Jan Berry, the independent Reducing Bureaucracy Advocate, to address the areas where progress has been relatively slow. This forms part of the wider approach to reducing bureaucracy and freeing up officers to deliver for the public.
	Tables 1 and 2 have been placed in the Library.

Hotels

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department spent on hotel accommodation for  (a) Ministers,  (b) special advisers and  (c) civil servants in each of the last five years.

Phil Woolas: Information relating to Home Office Ministers hotel expenditure can be accessed by visiting webpage:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/ministers/travel_gifts.aspx
	We are unable to collate information relating to expenses incurred by civil servants and special advisers due to disproportionate costs.

Human Trafficking: Children

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have been referred to the human trafficking national referral mechanism by local authorities in  (a) Scotland,  (b) England,  (c) Northern Ireland and  (d) Wales since 1 April 2009.

Phil Woolas: Between 1 April 2009 and 31 December 2009, the number of potential victims under 18 years of age referred into the National Referral mechanism by local authorities totals 57. This is composed of six from local authorities in Scotland, 47 from local authorities in England and four from local authorities in Wales. There have not been any referrals during this period from local authorities in Northern Ireland.

Immigrants: Detainees

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what gender-sensitive policies and procedures his Department implements in respect of women held at immigration removal centres.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 15 December 2010
	The Detention Centre Rules 2001 (S.I. 2001/238), which regulate the operation of immigration removal centres, make specific reference to the conditions for searching of women and their entitlement to be examined by a medical practitioner of the same gender.
	The UK Border Agency has a specific operation standard for women which sets out minimum auditable requirements for the provision of a safe and secure environment that meets their needs. This includes the provision of separate sleeping and dining accommodation for those centres where they can mix, equality of access to all activities within the centres, provision of activities appropriate to their needs and interests such as single-sex gym sessions, and seeking their views when arranging activities.

Intercept as Evidence Review

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost to the public purse has been of  (a) staging mock trials to test the viability of intercept evidence in court and  (b) other costs incurred in reviewing the use of intercept evidence since the commissioning of the Chilcot Review.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 6 January 2010
	The information is as follows:
	(A) The cost of the 'model test' phase of the IaE work programme which consisted of the trial simulation and live testing of interception processes is estimated at around £1.2 million.
	(B) As set out in 'Intercept as Evidence, A Report (Cm7660)' published under cover of my written ministerial statement of 10 December 2009,  Official Report, column 31WS, the total cost of the work programme across all agencies and Departments involved since March 2008 is estimated at around £2.5 million.
	The costs of the original Privy Council review (Cm7324) were set out in that report as £0.1 million.

Macfarlan Smith

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answers of 10 December 2007,  Official Report, columns 213-15W and 29 January 2008,  Official Report, column 211W on Macfarlan Smith, when the work which commenced on 5 October 2006 will be completed; when the data collection and assessment will be completed; and when it is intended for the study to be published.

David Hanson: The study that commenced on 5 October 2006 was completed in March 2008. A copy will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

Members: Correspondence

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for West Derbyshire of 7 October 2009 concerning South African nationals, reference: PM/OP/Gibbs.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 14 December 2009
	 A reply to this letter was sent on 15 December 2009.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to reply to the letter of 5 November 2009 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr A. Ahmad.

Alan Johnson: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 22 December 2009.

Northamptonshire Police: Manpower

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) police officers,  (b) police community support officers and  (c) civilian staff there were in Northamptonshire Constabulary in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2008.

David Hanson: There were 1,177 police officers in Northamptonshire constabulary as at 31 March 1997 and 1,264 police officers as at 31 March 2008.
	Police community support officers were not introduced until 2002-03. There were 12 police community support officers in Northamptonshire constabulary as at 31 March 2003 and 159 as at 31 March 2008.
	There were 554 civilian staff in Northamptonshire constabulary as at 31 March 1997 and 979 civilian staff as at 31 March 2008.
	This and other related data are published annually as part of the annual Police Service Strength Home Office Statistical Bulletin. The latest bulletin can be found at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/policeorg1.html
	and bulletins for this and previous years are deposited in the Library of the House.

Police

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evaluation his Department has made of the effects of the joint Home Office/Department for Transport/Association of Chief Police Officers strategy on roads policing published in January 2005; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: We have not conducted a specific formal review of the strategy statement but implementation of the strategy forms a specific part of the National Community Safety Plan. We liaise regularly with the Department for Transport and ACPO on developments within the context of the strategy.

Police: Bureaucracy

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the number of forms police officers are required to complete in respect of each prosecution; what recent discussions he has had with the Police Federation on that matter; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: The Policing Green Paper, published in July 2008, committed the Government to cut red tape and improve police processes to free officers up to deal with the issues that matter to the public. This has been built upon by the Policing White Paper, published on 2 December 2009.
	To date we have made the following progress:
	On 1 January 2009 changes to Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Code A came into effect which removed the requirement for police officers to complete the Stop and Account form, whilst retaining the recording of the ethnicity of those stopped for monitoring reasons.
	We are also legislating in the Crime and Security Bill currently before Parliament to remove the paperwork associated with Stop and Search.
	Action on forms is part of a wider approach to bureaucracy reduction, focusing on the simplification of policing processes and more effective management of risk. Jan Berry has been appointed as the independent reducing bureaucracy advocate to challenge Government and the police service to make further progress on these issues, supported by a practitioner group of police officers and staff. Her full report, Reducing Bureaucracy in Policing, was published on 2 December 2009.
	As set out in the White Paper, we will also work with police stakeholders to encourage forces themselves to take responsibility for reducing bureaucracy. This includes reducing the amount and size of forms that officers and staff need to fill in. Jan Berry will be asked to report on this in her final report in summer 2010.
	Home Office Ministers have regular meetings with the Police Federation and other staff associations at which bureaucracy is discussed along with other policing issues.

Police: Olympic Games 2012

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the Minister for the Olympics on the policing of the London 2012 Olympics.

David Hanson: holding answer 5 January 2010
	Security planning for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games is discussed at regular meetings of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on National Security, International Relations and Development (Protective Security and Resilience) (NS)D (PSR)) which my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary chairs and which my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Olympics attends. The Minister for the Olympics has also had several recent discussions with Admiral the Lord West of Spithead, the responsible Minister for Olympic security, about policing and related security issues around the games.

Radicalism

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with  (a) the Council of Europe and  (b) the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on measures to tackle extremism; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: The UK is an active, founding member of the Council of Europe, which is a standard setter on democracy, human rights and the rule of law. We are fully engaged in Council of Europe work on the fight against extremism and terrorism.
	The UK Government are clear that any form of violent extremism is unacceptable. The Government deplore all attacks, whatever their motivation which are engineered by any extremist group. A key element of CONTEST, the Government's strategy for countering international terrorism, is Prevent-that is to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting violent extremism. To do this we need to prevent people supporting violent extremism and the ideology that fuels terrorism. Part of our Prevent work is to challenge those who support violence. But we also want to actively promote the shared values (including democracy and the rule of law) on which our society and the cohesion of our communities depend. We aim to do this by working in partnership with communities to challenge the ideology of violent extremism and disrupt those who promote it. The Government aim to empower all communities to reject violent extremism. We are also working with police forces, local authorities, schools and universities, and local communities to protect vulnerable individuals from radicalisation.

Reducing Bureaucracy Practitioners Group

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times the Reducing Bureaucracy Practitioners Group has met since December 2008; and at how many of those meetings were  (a) officials and  (b) Ministers from his Department present.

David Hanson: The Reducing Bureaucracy Practitioners Group (RBPG) has met seven times since it was established in December 2008 by Jan Berry, the independent advocate for reducing bureaucracy in policing. The RBPG consists of front line officers and staff, but Home Office officials have accepted an invitation to attend six out of the seven meetings to date.

Reducing Bureaucracy Practitioners Group

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made developing a website for the Reducing Bureaucracy Practitioners Group; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: The website:
	www.reducingbureaucracyinpolicing.co.uk
	has been developed and is now available to view.

Reducing Bureaucracy Practitioners Group

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals the Reducing Bureaucracy Practitioners Group have made; which of those have been adopted; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: The Reducing Bureaucracy Practitioners Group (RBPG) is made up of frontline officers and staff, and was established as an advisory and consultative group by Jan Berry the independent advocate for reducing bureaucracy in policing.
	Jan Berry regularly draws on their expertise to inform her work, and sub-groups are looking at specific issues such as constructing minimum data sets for crime recording and for the recording of missing persons, and comparing force risk assessments in relation to domestic violence incidents.
	The RBPG's work contributed significantly to Jan Berry's recent report-Reducing Bureaucracy in Policing published on 2 December 2009.

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints the Investigatory Powers Tribunal has  (a) considered and  (b) upheld on the misuse of powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

David Hanson: Information on the number of complaints made and upheld is given in the published annual reports of the Interception of Communications Commissioner and the Intelligence Services Commissioner. They are summarised as follows:
	
		
			   Applications received  Investigations concluded 
			 2 October to 31 December 2001 102 71 
			 1 January to 31 December 2002 130 194 
			 1 January to 31 December 2003 109 100 
			 1 January to 31 December 2004 90 115 
			 1 January to 31 December 2005 80 93 
			 1 January to 31 December 2006 86 81 
			 1 January to 31 December 2007 66 83 
			 1 January to 31 December 2008 136 70 
		
	
	The reports show that since 2001 the Investigatory Powers Tribunal made determinations in favour of complainants in 2005 and 2008. The former related to two complainants who lodged a joint complaint; the latter related to two separate complainants. Copies of the Commissioners' reports are in the House Library.

Right of Search

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many  (a) bodies and  (b) officials are authorised to carry out inspections and investigations of private houses and premises without a search warrant;
	(2)  what timetable has been set for the publication of the report by Lord West on powers of entry; and how many representations that review has received.

David Hanson: The list of statutory powers of entry to dwellings and premises can be found at:
	http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/operational-policing/powers-pace-codes/powers-of-entry-review/
	A record is not held centrally on the number of officials authorised to gain entry for enforcement purposes. The outcome of the review of entry powers will be published in March 2010.

Telephone Tapping

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in each of the four national security categories have been informed by the Metropolitan Police that their voicemails had been illegally tapped on behalf of media organisations as a result of the investigation leading to the conviction of Mr. Glenn Mulcaire and Mr. Clive Goodman in 2007.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 6 January 2010
	I understand from the Metropolitan Police Service that a very small number of individuals were contacted in the categories listed, and that no additional individuals have been contacted since Assistant Commissioner Yates' statements in July last year.
	The MPS is committed to respecting and protecting the privacy of those who may have been subject to illegal interception of their communications, but is actively considering against that background what information might be released which would not permit the possible identification of individuals.

Terrorism: Stop and Search

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance has been issued to police forces on use of powers under anti-terrorism legislation to stop and search people taking photographs.

David Hanson: Guidance has been provided to the police on a number of occasions regarding the use of counter terrorism stop and search powers in relation to taking photographs. These have included the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) guidance on stop and search which was revised and reissued to all forces in November 2008. It explains the background and purpose of stop and search powers, the different circumstances in which they might be used, including circumstances where photography may be involved.
	In August 2009 the Home Office published a national circular clarifying the use of counterterrorism legislation in regards to photography in public places. The Circular (012/2009) can be found on the Home Office website. I also wrote to all chief constables whose forces had standing section 44 authorisations. This letter reiterated how the powers should be used and was accompanied by a copy of the national circular.
	The Metropolitan police also issued their own local guidance on counterterrorism legislation with regard to photography in public places in August 2009. The guidance was published on the public Metropolitan police website. And on 15 December 2009 John Yates, Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan police, issued further guidance to all Metropolitan police officers on the use of stop and search powers in relation to people taking photographs.

Travel: Personal Records

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether airlines are required under the e-Borders scheme to provide credit card or bank details of passengers; and what categories of information airlines have provided to date.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 6 January 2010
	Carriers can be required to provide reservation data, known as Other Passenger Information (OPI) to the e-Borders system, but only if it is collected in the normal course of their business. This may include details of method of payment, including credit card information.
	There are 53 pieces of information that may have been provided by carriers to date. These are outlined in schedule 1 to the Immigration and Police (Passenger, Crew and Service Information) Order 2008, which can be found at the following weblink:
	http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080005_en_2
	A copy is available in the House Library.

Travel: Personal Records

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the list of Other Passenger Information required by the e-Borders programme.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 6 January 2010
	Full details of the information to be collected have been outlined in schedule 1 to the Immigration and Police (Passenger, Crew and Service Information) Order 2008 which came into effect on 1 March 2008.
	This information can be found on the following weblink:
	http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080005_en_2
	A copy is available in the House Library.

UK Border Agency

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in which countries the UK Border Agency has offices  (a) co-located and  (b) not co-located with the British Embassy, Consulate or High Commission.

Phil Woolas: All the UK Border Agency's overseas offices are based in British diplomatic missions, except for the UK visa section, which is in the UKBA's estate in Croydon. The agency's commercial partners also run visa application centres for the agency in 110 locations. These are not co-located with the diplomatic missions.

Vetting

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue guidance to police forces to take account of the judgment of the Supreme Court on the right to make representations about information held on individuals and disclosed by a Criminal Records Bureau check; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: Guidance will be issued by the Home Office in consultation with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to take account of the judgment of the Supreme Court as it related to those cases where a right of representation may be appropriate.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Departmental Pay

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was claimed in reimbursable expenses by press officers in his Department in 2008-09.

Chris Bryant: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 7 January 2010,  Official Report, column 566W.

Departmental Training

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the  (a) date,  (b) location and  (c) cost was of each of the last four away days attended by a Minister in his Department; and which Minister attended on each occasion.

Chris Bryant: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office ministerial team meet in a formal capacity twice a year to discuss strategic issues with senior officials and advisers. These meetings are usually held away from the office and take a full working day. Details of the last four away days attended by FCO Ministers are as follows:
	17 September 2009 at 1 Carlton Gardens - attended by 28 people including the right hon. David Miliband, my hon. Friend Ivan Lewis and my noble Friend Baroness Glenys Kinnock. The total cost of the away day was £591.
	5 January 2009 at Chevening Estate - attended by 45 people including the right hon. David Miliband, my noble Friend Lord Malloch-Brown, the hon. Caroline Flint, my hon. Friend Bill Rammell and my hon. Friend Gillian Merron. The total cost of the away day was £1,797.
	30 October 2008 at 1 Carlton Gardens - attended by 23 people including the right hon. David Miliband, my noble Friend Lord Malloch-Brown, the hon. Caroline Flint, my hon. Friend Bill Rammell and my hon. Friend Gillian Merron. The total cost of the away day was £540.
	30-31 March 2008 at Chevening Estate - attended by 28 people including the right hon. David Miliband, my noble Friend Lord Malloch-Brown, the hon. Kim Howells, the right hon. Jim Murphy and my hon. Friend Meg Munn. The total cost of the away day was £5,024. This event was held over two days (Sunday and Monday) and includes accommodation and other associated costs.

Departmental Training

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the  (a) date,  (b) location and  (c) cost was of each of the last four away days held by his Department's Board.

Chris Bryant: The Board of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office meets in formal session once a month to discuss the delivery of the policies and services decided upon by Ministers. Executive Members of the Board also meet regularly between formal Board meetings to discuss the day-to-day operations of the Department. On occasion, the Board meets for longer-typically half-day-sessions away from the office to discuss longer-term strategic issues and the Board's objectives. The last four such occasions were as follows:
	Date: 11 March 2008
	Location: 1 Carlton Gardens, London
	Cost: £870 (security charge and catering)
	Date: 3 October 2008
	Location: 1 Carlton Gardens, London
	Cost: £665 (security charge and catering)
	Date: 6 March 2009
	Location: 1 Carlton Gardens, London
	Cost: £314 (catering)
	Date: 10 June 2009
	Location: Chevening House, Kent
	Cost: £1,367 (facility fee and catering)

Government Hospitality: Wines

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 5 January 2010,  Official Report, column 197W, on Government hospitality: wines, at which events wine from the Government wine cellar was served in the last 12 months.

Chris Bryant: Government hospitality manages over 200 events annually for all departments across government. Wine is not served at all functions. Alcohol is generally offered at receptions, lunches and dinners except where dietary and religious considerations would make it inappropriate.
	It is not possible to give a detailed breakdown of the events at which wines or alcohol were served throughout 2009 without incurring disproportionate costs.

Iran: Baha'i Faith

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what recent representations he has made to the Government of Iran on the seven person informal leadership group of the Baha'i community in Iran; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  whether he has requested the Iranian authorities to guarantee the safety of the accused informal Baha'i leadership in Iran and for any trial to be held in public; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Alongside our EU partners we have made clear to the Iranian authorities our concerns at the charges of 'espionage' and corruption on earth levelled against the seven Baha'i leaders imprisoned for over a year without trial, most recently through the EU presidency, which summoned the Iranian Ambassador on 10 July 2009. In recent days we have learnt that their trial has been scheduled for 12 January 2010. We have already spoken to EU partners who share our belief that we should collectively make clear to Iran in advance of that date that they have international obligations to ensure that, if it goes ahead, it is a fair trial.
	We have been active in using multilateral forums to call for the Iranian authorities to respect the rights of Baha'is and other religious and ethnic minorities. On 18 December 2009, the UN General Assembly adopted a Resolution on human rights in Iran for the seventh consecutive year. The Resolution condemns 'attacks on Baha'is and their faith in state-sponsored media, increasing evidence of efforts by the state to identify, monitor and arbitrarily detain Baha'is, preventing members of the Baha'i faith from attending university and from sustaining themselves economically'.
	We will continue to urge Iran to respect the right to freedom of religion and belief as described in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a state party.

Morocco: Exports

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of the purchase by UK companies of goods from Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara.

Ivan Lewis: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not received any reports or representations from UK companies regarding the purchase of goods from Western Sahara or the legalities of such purchases.
	The UK continues to maintain its position that Morocco, as the de facto administering power of Western Sahara, is obliged under international law to ensure that economic activities under administration-including the extraction and exportation of phosphates-do not adversely affect the interests of the people in Western Sahara. This was also the opinion of the EU Legal Service when considering the legality of the 2006 EU-Morocco Fisheries Agreement before it was finalised.

WALES

Departmental Advertising

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of his Department's expenditure on  (a) television,  (b) radio,  (c) print and  (d) online advertising in (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office has no expenditure planned for advertising in either financial year.

Departmental Surveys

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library a copy of the results of his Department's most recent staff survey; which organisation carried out the survey; and what the cost of the survey was.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office people survey was delivered as part of the Ministry of Justice people survey, and as such its costs were borne by, and not split out from, those of the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Justice's share of ORC International's costs for providing the 2009 survey was £192,000. By procuring a single supplier for staff surveys in 2009-10 the civil service has saved 35 per cent. on the total cost of staff surveys in 2008-09. The results are expected to be received next month and we will put a copy in the Library in due course.

Domestic Visits

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the  (a) date,  (b) destination and  (c) purpose was of each official visit in Wales made by (i) the Secretary of State and (ii) Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in each of the last two years.

Peter Hain: Since my re-appointment in June 2009, both my hon. Friend and I have always undertaken a busy programme of meetings, visits and functions with a wide range of organisations in Wales. It would require a disproportionate cost to identify and list all of the visits we have made, and those of my predecessor my right hon. Friend the Member for Torfaen (Mr. Murphy), but specific examples of visits are referred to in previous Wales Office Annual Reports.

Employment Tribunals Service

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many industrial tribunals his Department has been party to in each of the last five years; and what the cost to his Department of such tribunals was in each year.

Peter Hain: As my Department has been party to less than five employment tribunals during the period specified I am unable to release the additional information that the hon. Gentleman seeks for reasons of confidentiality.

Legislation

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the  (a) title and  (b) purpose is of each proposed legislative consent order scheduled for introduction in the present Parliament which his Department has discussed with the Welsh Assembly Government.

Peter Hain: The following table lists the proposed legislative competence orders that my Department has discussed with the Welsh Assembly Government and which are yet to be presented to Parliament or the National Assembly for Wales for approval. I have presented all the proposed orders to Parliament for pre-legislative scrutiny.
	
		
			  Title of proposed LCO  Enabling the National Assembly to legislate on: 
			 National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Housing) Order 2009 Automatic fire suppression systems in residential premises. 
			 National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Culture and Other Fields) Order 2009 Functions of local authorities in the support, improvement and promotion of specified areas of culture and sport and recreational activities. 
			 National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Local Government) Order 2009 Community councils, public information relating to local government, members' salaries, allowances and pensions and councillor recruitment and retention. 
			 National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Housing and Local Government) Order 2010 Social housing, meeting the housing needs of vulnerable people and council tax payable in respect of second homes. 
			 National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Education) Order 2010 Conduct and governance of local authority maintained schools, collaboration between those responsible for local authority maintained schools and the establishment of bodies by them. 
			 National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Transport) Order 2010 Concessionary travel and the regulation of vehicles used for learner transport.

New Businesses

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with  (a) Ministerial colleagues and  (b) Welsh Assembly Government Ministers on policy to promote small business start-up schemes among young people in Wales.

Peter Hain: I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues and Welsh Assembly Government Ministers on all issues affecting the Welsh economy including small businesses.
	The Welsh Assembly Government are actively engaged in promoting small business and self-employment options to young people, including graduates.
	In addition, under the Jobcentre Plus Six Month Offer, there are two elements of help on offer to people who want to move into self-employment or start a business. The first provides financial support during the early weeks of trading through the self-employment credit paid of £50 a week for up to 16 weeks and the Building Britain's Recovery White Paper brings forward entitlement to this credit to three months.
	The second is a provision of additional funds to Flexible Support for Business in Wales so that it can provide intensive self-employment and business start-up support for those who need it both before they leave benefits and into the first weeks of trading.

Second Homes: Council Tax

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales with reference to the National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Housing and Local Government) Order 2010, and paragraph 43 of the Explanatory Memorandum, whether an impact assessment has been prepared on the proposals to allow higher council tax on second homes and holiday homes in Wales.

Wayne David: A Regulatory Impact Assessment has not been prepared for this instrument as it confers legislative competence on the National Assembly for Wales and so has no impact on business, charities or voluntary bodies. The Welsh Assembly Government would prepare a Regulatory Impact Assessment when bringing forward any proposed Assembly Measures as a result of the legislative competence this instrument confers.

Second Homes: Council Tax

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations his Department has received on the effects of the National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Housing and Local Government) Order 2010 on council tax on second homes and holiday homes in Wales.

Wayne David: None.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Employment Tribunals Service

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many industrial tribunals his Department has been party to in each of the last five years; and what the cost to his Department of such tribunals was in each such year.

Barbara Follett: It would not be possible to provide this information without incurring a disproportionate cost.

Housing

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether his Department has made a recent estimate of the mean age of a first-time buyer of a domestic property.

Ian Austin: No.

Mortgages

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his Department's policy is on the implementation of the proposals of the European Commission on harmonising rules governing access to mortgages; and what assessment has been made of the implications for his Department's policies of the Commission's proposed further changes to the European Capital Requirements Directive.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: I have been asked to reply.
	The European Commission published a White Paper on European mortgage markets at the end of 2007. This document is available on the Commission's website, at:
	http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/finservices-retail/home-loans/integration_en.htm
	The Commission has since undertaken work to improve the evidence base on EU mortgage markets, which HM Treasury has supported and encouraged, including work to renew this evidence base following the financial crisis. HM Treasury will continue to engage with the European Commission to help ensure that any response at the EU level is effective and proportionate.
	The European Commission published a consultation under 'Further possible changes to the Capital requirements Directive' with a closing date of 4 September 2009. Due to developments internationally, including a G20 consensus agreement on bank capital reform, it is now expected that the European Commission will reissue its consultation in late summer or the autumn of 2010. This will have a broader scope to match the Bank for International Settlements' consultation 'Strengthening the resilience of the banking sector', while retaining the measures on moving towards a single rulebook for bank capital in the EU. In the interim period, HM Treasury will continue to pursue the objectives outlined in its paper 'Reforming Financial Markets', both within the EU and internationally.

Multiple Occupation: Licensing

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer of 29 October 2009,  Official Report, column 472W, on licensing: multiple occupation, on what date the report by the Building Research Establishment on the effectiveness of the new licensing regime for houses in multiple occupation will be published; and what the reasons are for the time taken to publish the report.

Ian Austin: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 6 January 2010,  Official Report, column 381W.

National Policy Statements: Transport

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects to publish the National Policy Statement on transport infrastructure.

Sadiq Khan: I have been asked to reply.
	We expect to publish for consultation a draft National Policy Statement for national networks (strategic roads and railways, including strategic rail freight interchanges) early this year, and a draft National Policy Statement for airports in 2011.

Regeneration: Radlett

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects to announce his decision on the development site at Radlett.

Shahid Malik: The Secretary of State's decision on this planning appeal is expected by 23 June 2010.

Social Rented Housing: Equality

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance his Department provides to registered social landlords on equalities audits.

Ian Austin: None.

CABINET OFFICE

Central Office of Information: Expenditure

Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much has been spent by the Central Office of Information on advertising in 2009-10.

Angela Smith: I have asked the chief executive of the Central Office of Information to reply to the hon. Member.
	 Letter from Mark Lund, dated 7 January 2010
	As Chief Executive of the Central Office of Information (COI), I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on COI advertising spend in 2009/10 (309868).
	COI advertising spend for 2009/10 will be published in our annual report and accounts when the figures have been fully audited and approved.

Charity Commission: Internet

David Davies: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what redesigns of websites operated by the Charity Commission for England and Wales have been carried out since 27 June 2007; and what the  (a) cost to the public purse and  (b) date of completion of each such redesign was.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Charity Commission. I have asked the Commission to reply.
	 Letter from Andrew Hind, dated 9 December 2009:
	As the Chief Executive of the Charity Commission, I have been asked to respond to your written Parliamentary Question on redesigns of websites operated by the Charity Commission for England and Wales since 27 June 2007; and what the (a) cost to the public purse and (b) date of completion of each such redesign was (306193).
	We have not redesigned our website in the period in question. However, in the interests of transparency, the last redesign of our website took place in 2006/07 at a cost of just over £49,000 and was launched formally in July 2007.
	In addition, a major redesign of our website is currently underway, due for completion and launch in February 2010. We have budgeted £75,000 for this project.
	I hope this information is helpful.

Civil Service: Internet

Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what guidance is provided to civil servants on their involvement in online social media.

Angela Smith: The Civil Service Code applies to participation online as a civil servant or when discussing government business. Specific guidance for online participation is available to all civil servants at:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/resources/participation-online.aspx
	Copies of the Civil Service Code and the guidance are also available in the Library of the House.

Departmental Conferences

John Baron: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  which conferences held overseas have been attended by civil servants based in her Department in the last three years; and what the cost to the public purse was of such attendance at each conference;
	(2)  how many overseas training courses were attended by her Department's civil servants in the latest period for which figures are available; how many civil servants attended each course; and what the total cost to the public purse was of each course.

Angela Smith: The Cabinet Office has not organised any overseas training centrally for staff. All Cabinet Office Management Units have delegated responsibility for spend against their learning and development budgets. The individual management units decide on appropriate learning opportunities to enable their staff to acquire the skills, knowledge and behaviours necessary to deliver departmental objectives. This might involve attendance on an internal or external training course as well as a one or more of the following:
	job shadowing
	one to one coaching
	mentoring
	E-Learning
	personal study.
	Information on attendance and cost at courses or conferences is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Employment

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people were employed  (a) in total and  (b) in local government in the UK at the latest date for which information is available.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated January 2010:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning, how many people were employed  (a) in total and  (b) in local government in the UK. at the latest date for which information is available. (309395)
	Estimates of total employment for the UK are derived from the Labour Force Survey. Data for the survey is collected on a monthly basis; the latest date for which information is available is September 2009. It is important to acknowledge, as with any sample survey, estimates from the Labour Force Survey are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	Estimates of employment for local government in the UK are collected as part of the Quarterly Public Sector Employment Survey (QPSES). Data for the survey is collected on a quarterly basis; the latest date for which information is available is September 2009.
	The requested estimates are attached at Annex A.
	
		
			  Annex A: Total and local government employment, seasonally adjusted, United Kingdom 
			  Thousand 
			   Local government( 1, 2, 3)  Total employment( 4, 5) 
			 All in employment (September 2009) 2,923 28,926 
			 (1) Estimates derived from public sector organisations.  (2) Estimates for Northern Ireland included in the UK total ate sourced from the Quarterly Employment Survey and are based on jobs rather than employees.  (3) Police (England and Wales) based on projections.  (4) LFS data for September refer to August to October.  (5) Labour Force Survey employment; all aged 16 and over; seasonally adjusted.   Source:  Office for National Statistics (ONS) Labour Force Survey and returns from public sector organisations.

Offenders

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many employees of her Department have been convicted of a criminal offence of each type in each year since 1997.

Angela Smith: It is Cabinet Office policy not to provide information which risks identifying individual members of staff.

Official Residences

Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which Minister occupied each ministerial residence in each of the last three years.

Tessa Jowell: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 17 October 2007,  Official Report, column 1135W and my right hon. Friend, the Member for Doncaster, North (Edward Miliband) on 27 November 2007,  Official Report, column 352W. My noble Friend Lord Malloch-Brown vacated the flat in Admiralty House in July 2009.

Personal Income

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what her most recent estimate is of the  (a) mean and  (b) median gross annual pay by place of (i) residence and (ii) work for people in areas classified as (A) major urban, (B) large urban, (C) other urban, (D) significant rural, (E) rural -50 and (F) rural -80.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated January 2010:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the most recent estimate is of the (a) mean and (b) median gross annual pay by place of (i) residence and (ii) work for people in areas classified as (A) major urban, (B) large urban, (C) other urban, (D) significant rural, (E) rural -50 and (F) rural -80. (309499)
	The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), carried out in April each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom. Annual levels of earnings are estimated from the ASHE, and are provided for employees on adult rates of pay, who have been in the same job for more than a year. The required area classification based on the Rural/Urban Local Authority classification is only available for England.
	I attach a table showing the mean and median gross annual earnings for full-time employees by (i) place of residence and (ii) place of work in (A) major urban, (B) large urban, (C) other urban, (D) significant rural, (E) rural -50 and (F) rural -80 for England in April 2009.
	
		
			  Gross annual earnings for full-time employee jobs( 1) : England 2009 
			   By place of residence  By place of work 
			   Mean (£)  Percentage CV  Mean (£)  Percentage CV  Mean (£)  Percentage CV  Mean (£)  Percentage CV 
			 Major Urban 35,400 2.1 27,300 0.9 37,600 1.8 28,600 0.8 
			 Large Urban 29,000 1.1 24,700 1.3 29,900 1.3 25,100 1.3 
			 Other Urban 29,800 1.1 25,200 1.4 30,800 1.0 25,700 1.3 
			 Significant Rural 33,500 1.4 26,700 1.4 30,200 1.4 25,100 1.3 
			 Rural-50 32,700 1.2 26,200 1.4 28,700 1.2 24,100 1.5 
			 Rural-80 32,400 2.1 25,600 1.6 27,400 1.2 23,300 1.7 
			 (1) Full-time employees on adult rates who have been in the same job for more than one year. As at April 2009.  Guide to quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV-for example, for an average of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent., we would expect the population average to be within the range 180 to 220.  Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Office for National Statistics.

WOMEN AND EQUALITY

Equality

Bob Neill: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality whether the  (a) Equality and Human Rights Commission and  (b) Government Equalities Office has provided guidance to local authorities on the appointment of diversity officers.

Maria Eagle: The Equality and Human Rights Commission and Government Equalities Office have not issued specific guidance to local authorities on hiring diversity officers.

Equality and Human Rights Commission: Public Relations

John McDonnell: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality how much money the Equality and Human Rights Commission has paid to OH Communications in each of the last two financial years.

Maria Eagle: The Equality and Human Rights Commission has paid OH Communications a total of £68,124.90 (including VAT) in the last two financial years. The amount during both years are set out in the following table.
	
		
			   £ 
			 2007-08 0 
			 2008-09 68,124.90

Equality and Human Rights Commission: Title Indexing

Bob Neill: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality with reference to the answer of 11 November 2009,  Official Report, column 378W, on dignity at work, when the Equality and Human Rights Commission will finalise its Dignity at Work policy; and what the reasons are for the time taken to finalise it.

Maria Eagle: The Equality and Human Rights Commission plans to implement its Dignity at Work policy in January 2010. The Commission has had an interim policy in place since October 2008. This policy was drafted in full consultation with the recognised unions.
	Along with other employment policies, the Commission's Dignity at Work policy has been reviewed and revised. In order to undertake this exercise the Commission has:
	Consulted with the unions;
	Worked with the Staff Groups;
	Undertaken an Equality Impact Assessment;
	Agreed a communication strategy;
	Sought Senior Management Team and Union Branch approval;
	Identified appropriate training which will be given to employees of the Commission to coincide with the launch.

Equality and Human Rights Commission: Vacancies

Bob Neill: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality with reference to the answer of 18 June 2009,  Official Report, column 503W, on the Equality and Human Rights Commission: manpower, what full-time equivalent vacant posts there are in the Equality and Human Rights Commission; and what the  (a) job title and  (b) salary range of each vacancy is.

Maria Eagle: The Equality and Human Rights Commission is currently recruiting to the vacancies listed in the following tables.
	
		
			  Interim vacancies as at week commencing 14 December 2009 
			  Directorate  Vacancy-job title  Comments  Level  Interim day rates to be confirmed subject to appointment (£)  Full-time equivalent 
			 Communications Internal communications co-ordinator Paid at an appropriate daily/hourly rate commensurate with the skills and experience that the appropriate individual will bring to the role. 2 c75 - 
			  Head of procurement  5 c700 - 
			  Records manager  3 c150 - 
			 Finance Assistant management accountant (AP role) x 2  3 c150 2 
			 Legal Business manager  4 c170 0.5 
			 Strategy Group director (GD) for regulation  GD To be confirmed - 
		
	
	
		
			  Permanent/fixed term contract vacancies as at week commencing 14 December 2009 
			  Directorate  Vacancy- job title  Comments  Level  Salary start rate p.a. (£)  Full-time equivalent 
			 Commissioners Office Chief executive officer - - To be confirmed - 
			 Communications Campaigns and marketing officer Maternity cover 3 26,815.80 - 
			  Team leader - 3 26,815.80 0.61 
			 Corporate Management Senior professional Maternity cover 5 43,680.00 - 
			 Scotland Senior professional - 5 43,680.00 - 
			  Policy officer Maternity cover 3 26,815.80 - 
			  Caseworker Secondment opportunity until September 2010 3 26,815.80 - 
			 Strategy Policy manager-European and International - 4 34,224.75 - 
			  Research manager Maternity cover 4 34,224.75 - 
			  Policy manager-criminal injustice Secondment opportunity till 31 March 2010 4 34,224.75 - 
		
	
	
		
			  Other recruitment activity as at week commencing 14 December 2009 
			  Vacancy-job title  Comments  Day rate (£) 
			 Disability Committee Members x 2 These are fee based roles requiring a commitment of between 10-15 days per year. These are not roles included as part of the overall establishment. 250 
			 Audit and Risk Committee Members x2   
			 Scotland Committee Member

Equality and Human Rights Commission: Vacancies

Bob Neill: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality with reference to the answer of 18 June 2009,  Official Report, column 503W, on the Equality and Human Rights Commission: manpower, how many full-time equivalent  (a) consultants and  (b) temporary staff employed by the Commission are not permanent staff.

Maria Eagle: The Equality and Human Rights Commission currently have 79.6 full-time equivalent interim employees and four full-time equivalent employees on fixed term contracts who are not permanent employees. In addition the Commission have three full-time equivalent secondees working at the Commission who are not permanent employees.

Equality: EU Law

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality if she will place in the Library a copy of the reasoned opinion of the European Commission on the compliance of the UK's equality legislation with the EU Equal Treatment Directive.

Maria Eagle: The understanding between the European Commission and member states is that infraction correspondence remains confidential. The Commission publishes the fact that a Reasoned Opinion has been sent, but not the letter itself. The Government will therefore not be placing a copy of this Reasoned Opinion in the Library.

EU Anti-Discrimination Legislation

Philip Davies: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what recent discussions she has had with the European Commission on UK compliance with EU anti-discrimination legislation; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The European Commission sent two reasoned opinions to the UK Government on 20 November 2009 which questioned the compliance of our domestic legislation with two European Directives in certain respects. We are studying these reasoned opinions carefully and will reply to the Commission towards the end of January.

Gender Pay Difference

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what recent assessment she has made of the gender pay difference in Hampshire.

Maria Eagle: The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2009 showed that the gender pay gap, comparing the median hourly earnings of all men and women, was: 28.6 per cent. for Hampshire; 26.6 per cent. for the South East; and 22.0 per cent. for the UK as a whole.
	For full-time employees, the pay gap for Hampshire is 22.7 per cent. For part-time employees, the pay gap is 17.9 per cent., i.e. male part-time employees are paid less than female part-time employees.
	The overall national pay gap has fallen from 27.5 per cent. in 1997 to 22.0 per cent. in 2009, but more progress is needed and the Equality Bill includes tough measures to improve gender pay transparency.

Homosexuality: Human Rights

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what recent steps the Government Equalities Office has taken in respect of the human rights of gay and lesbian people.

Maria Eagle: The UK Government have taken great strides forward to ensure equality for gay and lesbian people in all areas, including all aspects of human rights.
	The human rights of everyone in the UK are afforded protection under the Human Rights Act 1998, which incorporates into UK law the European Convention on Human Rights. We have alongside that protection brought forward specific measures to protect and promote the rights of gay and lesbian people, for example through legislation prohibiting discrimination because of sexual orientation in the workplace and in services and public functions, which provides a private law cause of action for individuals experiencing discrimination.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Child Care Vouchers: Yorkshire and the Humber

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what information his Department holds on the number of child care providers in  (a) Leeds West constituency and  (b) West Yorkshire who take part in the child care voucher scheme.

Stephen Timms: I have been asked to reply.
	I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland (Dr. Kumar) on 2 December 2009,  Official Report, column 806W.
	Employers and employees are not required to report the provision of tax exempt child care vouchers. Accordingly, the specific information that has been asked for is not available.

Children: Day Care

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate his Department has made of the effect of withdrawing the tax exemption for employer supported child care on the amount of money claimed for the child care element of working tax credit.

Stephen Timms: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government are not withdrawing the tax exemptions for employer supported child care. On 4 December 2009, the Prime Minister announced the Government's policy in relation to employer supported child care. This is set out in the answer given to my right hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) on 14 December 2009,  Official Report, column 846W.
	This reform will have no impact on take-up of the child care element of the working tax credit.

Class Sizes: Leeds

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the average class size in schools in Leeds North West constituency was in  (a) 1997 and  (b) 2009.

Vernon Coaker: The average class size of maintained primary schools in Leeds North West was 26.9 in 1997 and 27.5 in 2009; the figures for state funded secondary(1) schools were 20.6 and 20.3 respectively.
	(1)( )Includes middle schools as deemed, City technology colleges and academies.

Departmental Internet

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what redesigns of websites operated by his Department there have been since 27 June 2007; and what the  (a) cost to the public purse and  (b) date of completion of each such redesign was.

Diana Johnson: The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) was established on 28 June 2007. The corporate website homepage and page header (www.dcsf.gov.uk) was updated to reflect the new Department at no additional cost.
	A refresh of the corporate website homepage was completed in August 2008, at a cost of £2,111. A further redesign was completed in May 2009 at a cost of £5278.
	The migration of all content from three individual sites (Local Authorities, Sure Start and Every Child Matters) into the current ECM service-
	www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters
	was completed in May 2009. This involved a complete redesign of the content and the development of a new part of the corporate site at a cost of £265,038 (including VAT).

Departmental Manpower

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many Children and Learners Strategic Advisers posts there are in his Department; when each such post was created; and what  (a) salary and  (b) job description associated with each is.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 2 December 20 09
	Children and Learners Strategic Advisers (CLSAs) will not be employed by the Department. They will be part of a new integrated advisory service based in Government Offices from April 2010. Following a competitive dialogue process, the preferred bidder for the contract to deliver the service is Together for Children and Learners, a partnership led by Serco. CLSAs will provide a single strategic interface between local authorities, Children's Trusts and the Department. They will replace the existing Children's Services Advisers and take on part of the role of the National Strategies Senior Regional Directors to agree local priorities and improvement support across all outcomes for children and young people. There will be around 32 CLSAs with salaries between £75,000 to £95,000.

Departmental Sick Leave

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many working days were lost due to illness of employees within his Department in each of the last three years; and how many of these were attributed to stress in each year.

Diana Johnson: The Department was set up as part of the machinery of government changes on 28 June 2007, so figures only apply from 1 July. Sickness absence data, including the average number of days lost and reasons for absence, are published on the Department's website:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/sicknessabsence/

Education Maintenance Allowance: Yorkshire and the Humber

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many students in post-16 education in  (a) Leeds West constituency and  (b) West Yorkshire are in receipt of education maintenance allowance.

Iain Wright: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the education maintenance allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). Geoffrey Russell, the LSC's acting chief executive, will write to my right hon. Friend with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Libraries.

Entry to Employment Programme

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his plans are for the future of the e2e programme; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: Entry to Employment (E2E) as a distinct programme will finish this academic year, with provision from September 2010 being delivered as Foundation Learning, the national route for young people who are at entry level and Level 1. Foundation Learning is one of the four pathways that comprise the broad and engaging learning offer at the heart of our 14-19 reforms.
	As emphasised in the delivery plan for the Raising of the Participation Age published on 15 December 2009, Foundation Learning enables flexible and inclusive recognition of learning achievements and emphasises personalised planning for progression-to Level 2 (Diplomas, Apprenticeships, GCSEs) wherever possible.

Entry to Employment Programme

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of the January Guarantee of Entry to Employment places for those not in education, employment or training in 2009-10.

Iain Wright: We are determined to ensure that every young person who is not in education, employment or training (NEET) is given an opportunity to engage in learning so that they can develop the skills they need to enter sustainable employment. Building on the success of our September Guarantee, the January Guarantee will ensure that all 16 and 17-year-olds who are NEET in January 2010 have the offer of an Entry to Employment place.
	A funding package of £40 million is being made available by the Department to deliver the January Guarantee. This includes funding for 10,000 additional Entry to Employment places, education maintenance allowance for those additional young people who are eligible, and for local Connexions services to support young people to re-engage.

Free School Meals

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of widening access to free school meals for children of low-income parents in 2009-10.

Diana Johnson: The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and the Department of Health (DH) have jointly allocated £10 million in 2009-10 to fund three free school meal pilots, £5 million from the DCSF and £5 million from the DH. Participating local authorities and primary care trusts are contributing the same in matched funding.
	The aim of the pilot is to gather some robust evidence on the health and educational benefits of extending access to free school meals. Durham and Newham are piloting universal free school meals for all primary pupils. Wolverhampton is piloting extended eligibility to primary and secondary pupils whose parents are on working tax credit and have an income up to £16,040.

GCSE: North East

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what percentage of students  (a) achieved (i) no GCSEs, (ii) five GCSEs at grade A* to C, (iii) English GCSE at grade A* to C, (iv) mathematics GCSE at grade A* to C and  (b) were eligible for free school meals in each secondary school in the (A) Newcastle upon Tyne, (B) county of Northumberland and (C) boroughs of North Tyneside and Gateshead in each year from 2003 to 2009.

Vernon Coaker: School-level figures for 2009 will become available in January 2010.
	The tables provide 2005 to 2008 data on the consistent basis of pupils at the end of key stage 4. Data for the period 2003 to 2008 on a consistent basis can be produced only at disproportionate cost.
	The tables contain figures for each maintained mainstream secondary school in each of the local authorities covering the areas requested.
	
		
			  Percentages of pupils at the end of key stage 4 
			Achieving 5 or more GCSEs at grade A*-C or equivalent  Achieving no GCSEs at grade A*-G or equivalent  Achieving GCSE English A*-C 
			  Local authority  School name  2005  2006  2007  2008  2005  2006  2007  2008  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne Gosforth High School 58 65 73 76 2 1 2 1 68 64 69 70 
			  Walbottle Campus Technology College 37 48 50 62 7 4 2 1 43 44 45 57 
			  Walker Technology College 61 58 45 45 4 6 7 10 39 42 41 60 
			  Benfield School 37 46 55 64 5 7 13 7 36 34 31 37 
			  Kenton School 70 70 81 85 3 7 5 5 51 43 51 48 
			  Heaton Manor School 63 63 64 67 3 4 1 2 59 59 62 55 
			  West Gate Community College 22 44 50 56 8 11 12 12 14 14 15 18 
			  All Saints College 40 32 48 43 16 10 5 9 11 28 28 37 
			  St. Mary's Catholic Comprehensive School 49 50 60 85 5 12 2 1 47 50 54 57 
			  St Cuthbert's High School 64 69 77 78 3 5 1 4 60 58 68 62 
			  Sacred Heart High School 78 72 80 83 2 0 0 0 66 68 74 77 
			   
			 Northumberland Haydon Bridge Community High School and Sports College 66 63 66 69 2 2 3 2 68 69 66 57 
			  Prudhoe Community High School 62 75 73 74 1 1 0 1 57 62 59 64 
			  Ashington Community High School 42 43 42 54 4 4 6 4 44 51 50 51 
			  Queen Elizabeth High School 74 73 78 84 0 1 1 1 77 72 73 79 
			  Cramlington Learning Village 76 83 82 84 2 2 1 1 65 78 68 78 
			  Ponteland Community High School 76 77 70 85 0 0 0 0 80 77 70 70 
			  Hirst High School 44 45 28 46 11 7 7 10 37 32 29 41 
			  Bedlingtonshire Community High School 43 44 52 53 1 3 2 2 53 55 54 47 
			  Berwick Community High School 63 69 73 85 2 0 1 0 51 50 50 68 
			  The Duchess's Community High School 60 62 61 68 1 2 2 2 69 64 55 62 
			  Coquet High School 49 45 45 59 3 1 2 1 43 57 50 44 
			  Blyth Community College 32 38 37 54 9 6 5 5 39 38 39 45 
			  The King Edward VI School 77 80 80 87 1 0 0 0 70 76 77 87 
			  St Benet Biscop Catholic Voluntary Aided High School 62 71 71 71 1 1 1 1 59 65 63 63 
			  Astley Community High School 58 57 64 81 2 2 1 1 65 54 51 58 
			   
			 North Tyneside Marden High School-A Specialist maths, Science and Media Arts College 72 70 77 81 1 1 2 3 68 72 70 74 
			  Norham Community Technology College 28 39 37 41 1 2 1 1 29 39 39 39 
			  Whitley Bay High School 73 82 77 83 0 0 0 0 77 82 75 81 
			  George Stephenson Community High School 44 48 69 66 2 4 3 4 61 61 72 70 
			  Burnside Business and Enterprise College 48 59 58 72 0 0 1 2 54 63 53 65 
			  Churchill Community College 35 55 47 61 12 8 2 3 26 31 30 41 
			  Monkseaton Community High School 47 53 49 56 3 3 4 1 50 44 51 61 
			  John Spence Community High School 54 66 76 78 2 1 0 0 41 63 70 69 
			  Longbenton Community College 72 67 73 61 6 4 3 4 53 61 66 60 
			  Seaton Burn College, A Specialist Business and Enterprise School 47 66 45 46 4 3 1 3 54 69 55 53 
			  St. Thomas More Roman Catholic High School Aided 75 78 82 83 0 1 0 0 80 80 88 77 
			   
			 Gateshead Lord Lawson of Beamish Community School 78 78 79 78 1 3 2 2 59 59 53 49 
			  Whickham School 78 84 87 85 2 1 1 2 65 64 72 67 
			  Ryton Comprehensive School 59 62 72 73 2 0 0 1 59 63 57 60 
			  Heworth Grange Comprehensive School 43 45 52 68 3 2 3 1 34 42 53 58 
			  Hookergate School 39 52 42 70 7 6 1 0 36 47 45 54 
			  Kingsmeadow Community Comprehensive School 57 60 60 42 8 7 5 6 40 41 35 31 
			  Thomas Hepburn Community Comprehensive School 46 44 50 53 17 7 5 7 32 39 38 46 
			  Joseph Swan School 58 70 77 74 8 8 4 5 37 50 51 56 
			  Cardinal Hume Catholic School 71 78 85 97 3 6 1 1 52 55 75 77 
			  St Thomas More Catholic School 100 100 99 99 0 0 0 1 86 80 78 84 
			  Emmanuel College 96 99 97 98 0 0 0 1 92 96 95 95 
		
	
	
		
			Achieving GCSE maths A*-C  Known to be eligible for free school meals 
			  Local authority  School name  2005  2006  2007  2008  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne Gosforth High School 64 70 72 69 10 9 9 9 
			  Walbottle Campus Technology College 30 35 29 39 10 12 13 12 
			  Walker Technology College 21 24 26 32 35 35 34 35 
			  Benfield School 34 38 40 35 30 31 27 27 
			  Kenton School 36 29 45 48 28 22 20 18 
			  Heaton Manor School 54 53 55 49 13 13 12 13 
			  West Gate Community College 19 20 22 21 53 48 43 36 
			  All Saints College 22 21 25 23 44 36 42 44 
			  St. Mary's Catholic Comprehensive School 35 41 46 58 15 16 19 15 
			  St. Cuthbert's High School 53 67 72 61 15 11 10 9 
			  Sacred Heart High School 54 53 68 67 16 14 16 14 
			   
			 Northumberland Haydon Bridge Community High School and Sports College 49 58 58 45 6 5 5 6 
			  Prudhoe Community High School 66 71 72 57 7 6 6 5 
			  Ashington Community High School 37 43 48 44 13 12 12 12 
			  Queen Elizabeth High School 65 65 67 78 3 3 3 3 
			  Cramlington Learning Village 57 66 62 69 9 8 7 8 
			  Ponteland Community High School 68 72 68 63 2 1 2 2 
			  Hirst High School 29 28 33 37 26 23 21 23 
			  Bedlingtonshire Community High School 44 45 50 48 11 12 11 15 
			  Berwick Community High School 42 38 44 61 9 11 10 8 
			  The Duchess's Community High School 60 63 56 61 6 5 6 4 
			  Coquet High School 47 61 59 54 13 12 10 11 
			  Blyth Community College 34 33 31 41 22 20 19 19 
			  The King Edward VI School 68 74 74 78 4 3 3 4 
			  St. Benet Biscop Catholic Voluntary Aided High School 63 64 62 57 7 7 7 7 
			  Astley Community High School 56 59 59 68 9 7 8 7 
			   
			 North Tyneside Marden High School-A Specialist maths, Science and Media Arts College 65 65 71 81 4 5 6 5 
			  Norham Community Technology College 32 45 34 38 25 23 25 23 
			  Whitley Bay High School 67 71 64 67 4 3 3 3 
			  George Stephenson Community High School 36 38 44 38 12 12 11 7 
			  Burnside Business and Enterprise College 46 59 53 65 14 14 13 13 
			  Churchill Community College 27 34 38 43 25 21 22 18 
			  Monkseaton Community High School 38 48 49 57 12 11 10 7 
			  John Spence Community High School 53 67 64 65 16 12 14 13 
			  Longbenton Community College 60 61 57 63 16 14 15 13 
			  Seaton Burn College, A Specialist Business and Enterprise School 38 40 43 38 15 13 12 13 
			  St. Thomas More Roman Catholic High School Aided 79 73 74 77 7 7 7 8 
			   
			 Gateshead Lord Lawson of Beamish Community School 54 56 48 44 9 10 11 11 
			  Whickham School 53 52 58 52 8 8 8 8 
			  Ryton Comprehensive School 57 52 60 56 8 8 8 9 
			  Heworth Grange Comprehensive School 50 47 49 59 22 19 19 19 
			  Hookergate School 37 42 39 60 20 17 16 18 
			  Kingsmeadow Community Comprehensive School 20 30 29 25 29 34 35 33 
			  Thomas Hepburn Community Comprehensive School 15 36 40 42 40 40 38 37 
			  Joseph Swan School 44 42 37 49 21 20 21 24 
			  Cardinal Hume Catholic School 40 43 60 45 29 27 28 27 
			  St Thomas More Catholic School 74 74 73 80 6 7 6 5 
			  Emmanuel College 84 89 93 86 5 6 6 6

Leeds

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much capital expenditure his Department has incurred in Leeds West constituency in the last three years.

Vernon Coaker: As expenditure is prioritised locally, no central records are maintained for expenditure at constituency level.

Ofsted: Complaints

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the remit is of the independent adjudicator in respect of the Ofsted complaints system.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 6 January 2010
	The remit of the independent adjudicator is to consider Ofsted's handling of complaints from service providers and users about its inspection and regulatory activity. The adjudicator can make recommendations in respect of Ofsted's handling of complaints.

Primary Education

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children attended  (a) two,  (b) three,  (c) four,  (d) five and  (e) 10 primary schools in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Vernon Coaker: The available information, based on pupil registrations at primary schools in 2007/08, is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Primary schools( 1) , number of pupils registered at a number of different primary schools( 2, 3) , England, 2007/08 
			  Total number of (different) primary school registrations( 1)  Number of pupils( 2, 3) 
			 1 3,184,050 
			 2 106,190 
			 3 4,680 
			 4 300 
			 5 40 
			 10 0 
			 (1 )Includes middle schools as deemed. (2 )Includes pupils on the school roll for at least one session who were aged between five and 15 as at 31 August 2007, excluding boarders. (3 )Includes sole and dually registered pupils. Pupils may register at a particular school but decide to attend a different school, and it is possible for this to lead to two registrations being reported.  Note: Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.  Source:  School Census.

Primary Education: Capital Investment

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether local authorities with projected rises in pupil numbers are able to use funding from the Primary Capital Programme to build new schools; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: There is nothing to prevent local authorities from using the funding delivered for the Primary Capital programme to provide new primary school places where there is need. The Primary Capital programme challenges local authorities to join up funding streams in support of a long term strategic approach to capital investment across the primary school estate, which will include providing sufficient permanent school places where they are wanted. Our expectation, therefore, is that all investment in primary schools should support the strategic objectives outlined in each authority's primary strategy for change. Decisions about investment priorities and how these should be funded are rightly matters for local determination.
	On 30 November 2009, the Department confirmed funding of up to £300 million to support the provision of additional primary places in authorities experiencing exceptional growth in the number of primary pupils. This is on top of more than £1.2 billion already available to local authorities collectively from 2008 until 2011 to help them provide permanent new places in areas of population growth.

Pupils Exclusions: Disadvantaged

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of white  (a) boys and  (b) girls eligible for free school meals were given (i) permanent and (ii) fixed-period exclusions in each of the last five years.

Vernon Coaker: Information for 2007/08 is shown in the table.
	To provide information for further years would incur disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Primary, secondary and special schools.( 1,2,3 ) Number and percentage of pupil enrolments receiving one or more fixed period exclusions or a permanent exclusion by pupil characteristics,( 4 ) England, 2007/08 (Estimates)( 5) 
			   Permanent exclusion( 5)  One or more fixed period exclusions 
			   Number of pupil enrolments eligible for free school meals whose ethnicity is white( 6,7)  Percentage of applicable school population( 8)  Number of pupil enrolments eligible for free school meals whose ethnicity is white( 6,7)  Percentage of applicable school population( 8) 
			 Boys 1,730 0.49 31,450 8.87 
			 Girls 510 0.15 12,490 3.68 
			 Total 2,230 0.32 43,930 6.33 
			 (1 )Includes middle schools as deemed. (2 )Includes city technology colleges and academies (including all-through academies). (3 )Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools. Excludes general hospital schools. (4)( )Pupils may be counted more than once if they were registered at more than one school or changed schools during the year. (5) Figures relating to permanent exclusions are estimates based on incomplete pupil-level data. (6)( )Includes only pupils of compulsory school age and above. Free school meal eligibility as at the time of the January 2008 School Census. (7)( )Includes pupils of white British ethnicity only. (8)( )The number of pupil enrolments who received exclusions expressed as a percentage of the number (headcount) of all pupils (excluding dually registered pupils) by those pupils eligible for free school meals and of white British ethnic origin, in January 2008.  Note : Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.  Source:  School Census

Pupils: Disadvantaged

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of children in each school were entitled to free school meals on the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Diana Johnson: The information requested has been placed in the House Libraries.

Schools

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which  (a) primary and  (b) secondary schools in each local authority area he has visited since his appointment; and on what date each such visit took place.

Diana Johnson: holding answer 8 December 2009
	The following table shows the  (a) primary and  (b) secondary schools that the Secretary of State has visited since his appointment, their local authority area, and the date the visit took place.
	
		
			   Date  Local authority 
			  Primary schools   
			 Seagrave Primary School 6 July 2007 Nottingham 
			 Scawsby Rosedale Primary School 13 July 2007 Doncaster 
			 Scawthorpe Castle Hills Primary School 13 July 2007 Doncaster 
			 Woodberry Down Community Primary School 7 September 2007 Hackney 
			 St. John the Baptist Catholic 28 September 2007 Wakefield 
			 Morley Newlands Primary Schools 12 October 2007 Leeds 
			 Scawsby Rosedale Primary School 19 October 2007 Doncaster 
			 East Ardsley Primary School 19 October 2007 Leeds 
			 Millbank Primary School 20 November 2007 Westminster 
			 Holy Trinity CofE Primary School 23 November 2007 Wakefield 
			 Cardwell Primary School 10 December 2007 Greenwich 
			 Normanton Altofts Junior School 14 December 2007 Wakefield 
			 Laycock Primary School 19 December 2007 Islington 
			 Deans Primary Schools 21 January 2008 Salford 
			 Westfield Community School 21 January 2008 Wigan 
			 Green Dragon Primary School 23 January 2008 Hounslow 
			 Joseph Lancaster Primary School 6 March 2008 Southwark 
			 Argyle School 14 March 2008 Camden 
			 Wyvil Primary School 20 March 2008 Lambeth 
			 Normanton Common Primary School 4 April 2008 Wakefield 
			 Wentworth Primary School 24 April 2009 Kent 
			 Normanton Junior School 23 May 2008 Wakefield 
			 Chesterton Primary School 17 June 2008 Wandsworth 
			 Suffield Park Infant and Nursery School 20 June 2008 Norfolk 
			 St. Matthew's School 1 July 2008 Westminster 
			 Churchill Garden Community Primary School 8 July 2008 Westminster 
			 Cobblers Lane Primary School 11 July 2008 Wakefield 
			 Stanley St. Peter's CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School 11 July 2008 Wakefield 
			 Normanton Common Primary School 12 September 2008 Wakefield 
			 Chingford Hall Community Primary School 15 October 2008 Waltham Forest 
			 Hillcrest Community Primary School 24 October 2008 Leeds 
			 Eastwood Primary School 24 October 2008 Leeds 
			 John Perryn Primary School 7 November 2008 Ealing 
			 Rooks Nest Junior, Infant and Nursery 14 November 2008 Wakefield 
			 Horbury Primary School 5 December 2008 Wakefield 
			 Torriano School 8 December 2008 Camden 
			 Bawburgh School 19 December 2008 Norfolk 
			 Eastward Community Primary School 7 January 2009 Bury 
			 Drove Primary School 9 February 2009 Swindon 
			 Hardwick Primary School 6 March 2009 Derby 
			 Bordesley Green Primary School 13 March 2009 Birmingham 
			 Victoria Dock School 20 March 2009 Kingston Upon Hull, City of 
			 Collis Primary School 20 April 2009 Richmond Upon Thames 
			 Brockholes Wood County Primary School 23 April 2009 Lancashire 
			 Oliver Goldsmith Primary School 30 April 2009 Southwark 
			 Lyndhurst Community Primary School 22 June 2009 Southwark 
			 Portway Primary School 3 September 2009 Newham 
			 Colebourne Primary School 7 September 2009 Birmingham 
			 Tyssen Community Primary School 9 September 2009 Hackney 
			 Newton Primary School 16 September 2009 Cheshire West and Chester 
			 Hillcrest Community Primary School 9 October 2009 Leeds 
			 Loughborough Primary School 15 October 2009 Lambeth 
			 Thornhill Primary School 20 October 2009 Islington 
			 Crossdale Drive Primary School 20 November 2009 Nottinghamshire 
			 Shirley Junior School 23 November 2009 Southampton 
			 Catton Grove Primary School 24 November 2009 Norfolk 
			
			  Secondary schools   
			 Preston Manor High School 10 July 2007 Brent 
			 Banbury School 16 July 2007 Oxfordshire 
			 Morpeth School 18 July 2007 Tower Hamlets 
			 Sydney Smith School 27 July 2007 Kingston Upon Hull - City of 
			 Stockwell Park High School 13 September 2007 Lambeth 
			 Stoke Newington School 20 September 2007 Hackney 
			 The King's School Specialising in Mathematics and Computing 28 September 2007 Wakefield 
			 Barking Abbey School 9 October 2007 Barking and Dagenham 
			 St. Augustine's CofE High School 16 October 2007 Westminster 
			 New Brompton College 30 October 2007 Medway 
			 The Skinners' Company's School for Girls (Voluntary Aided) 7 November 2007 Hackney 
			 Woodkirk High Specialist Science School 9 November 2007 Leeds 
			 Bitterne Park School 14 November 2007 Southampton 
			 All Saints Church of England School 29 November 2007 Dorset 
			 Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Secondary School 5 December 2007 Southwark 
			 Garforth Community College 14 December 2007 Leeds 
			 Reddish Vale Technology College 21 January 2008 Stockport 
			 Brighton College 07 March 2008 Brighton and Hove 
			 Castleford High School Technology and Sports College 4 April 2008 Wakefield 
			 Aylesford School 30 April 2008 Kent 
			 The Malling School 30 April 2008 Kent 
			 Holmesdale Technology College 30 April 2008 Kent 
			 Kings School 9 May 2008 Wakefield 
			 Kingsbury High School 9 June 2008 Brent 
			 Lord Lawson of Beamish Community School 12 June 2008 Gateshead 
			 Thornaby Community School 12 June 2008 Stockton-on-Tees 
			 Blakeston School - A Community Sports College 12 June 2008 Stockton-on-Tees 
			 Kelmscott School 16 June 2008 Waltham Forest 
			 Graveney School 16 June 2008 Wandsworth 
			 Aston Manor School 19 June 2008 Birmingham 
			 Lordswood Girls' School and The Sixth Form Centre, Harborne A Specialist Media Arts College 19 June 2008 Birmingham 
			 Yavneh College Voluntary Aided 20 June 2008 Hertfordshire 
			 Whitefield School 26 June 2008 Barnet 
			 The Hayfield School 27 June 2008 Doncaster 
			 The Freeston Business and Enterprise College, Voluntary Controlled 27 June 2008 Wakefield 
			 Thomas Tallis School 1 July 2008 Greenwich 
			 Kirk Hallam Community Technology College 4 July 2008 Derbyshire 
			 Bennerley Business and Enterprise College 4 July 2008 Derbyshire 
			 Bramcote Hills Sport and Community College 4 July 2008 Nottinghamshire 
			 Ashfield Comprehensive School 4 July 2008 Nottinghamshire 
			 Durham Johnston Comprehensive School 18 July 2008 Durham 
			 Aston Manor School 8 September 2008 Birmingham 
			 Kelmscott School 10 September 2008 Waltham Forest 
			 Highlands School 15 September 2008 Enfield 
			 Featherstone Technology College 26 September 2008 Wakefield 
			 Sir James Smith's Community School 2 October 2008 Cornwall 
			 Lipson Community College 2 October 2008 Plymouth 
			 Tamarside Community College 2 October 2008 Plymouth 
			 Hatch End High School 8 October 2008 Harrow 
			 The Cathedral School (Voluntary Controlled) 10 October 2008 Wakefield 
			 The Bankfield School 23 October 2008 Halton 
			 Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School (Voluntary Aided) 23 October 2008 Warrington 
			 Cheney School 3 November 2008 Oxfordshire 
			 Banbury School 3 November 2008 Oxfordshire 
			 Greenhead High School 7 November 2008 Bradford 
			 Pudsey Grangefield School 14 November 2008 Leeds 
			 The Freeston Business and Enterprise College, Voluntary Controlled 14 November 2008 Wakefield 
			 Notre Dame High School (Voluntary Aided) 19 December 2008 Norfolk 
			 Broad Oak Sports College 7 January 2009 Bury 
			 Morley High School 8 January 2009 Leeds 
			 Perry Beeches School 5 February 2009 Birmingham 
			 Ossett School 6 February 2009 Wakefield 
			 Beechwood School 9 February 2009 Slough 
			 Churchfields School 9 February 2009 Swindon 
			 Sutherland Business and Enterprise College 11 February 2009 Telford and Wrekin 
			 Manor Church of England Voluntary Aided School, York 4 March 2009 York 
			 Boston Spa School 6 March 2009 Leeds 
			 Vermuyden School 20 March 2009 East Riding of Yorkshire 
			 Portchester School 15 April 2009 Bournemouth 
			 East Barnet School 20 April 2009 Barnet 
			 Southlands High School 23 April 2009 Lancashire 
			 Harrop Fold School 23 April 2009 Salford 
			 Thrybergh School and Sports College 1 May 2009 Rotherham 
			 Holyhead School 11 May 2009 Birmingham 
			 Rodillian School 19 June 2009 Leeds 
			 Fulham Cross Girls' School and Language College 30 June 2009 Hammersmith and Fulham 
			 Langdon School 2 July 2009 Newham 
			 Newall Green High School 9 July 2009 Manchester 
			 Horbury School 10 July 2009 Wakefield 
			 Acland Burghley 16 July 2009 Camden 
			 Sidney Stringer School 20 July 2009 Coventry 
			 Twyford CE High School (Voluntary Aided) 10 September 2009 Ealing 
			 The Hathershaw College of Technology and Sport 11 September 2009 Oldham 
			 Cowley Language College 16 September 2009 St. Helens 
			 Neston High School 16 September 2009 Cheshire West and Chester 
			 Malton School 2 October 2009 North Yorkshire 
			 Cockermouth School 23 October 2009 Cumbria 
			 Southfield Technology College 23 October 2009 Cumbria 
			 Wakefield City High School 13 November 2009 Wakefield 
			 Upper Shirley High School 23 November 2009 Southampton 
			
			  Academies (including all-through education establishments)   
			 West London Academy 13 July 2007 Ealing 
			 Outwood Grange College of Technology 20 July 2009 Wakefield 
			 Bristol Brunel Academy 6 September 2007 City of Bristol 
			 City of London Academy 31 October 2007 Southwark 
			 Francis Combe Academy 29 February 2008 Hertfordshire 
			 George Salter Collegiate Academy 29 February 2008 Sandwell 
			 The Petchey Academy 14 May 2008 Hackney 
			 Haberdashers' Askes's Knights Academy 10 June 2008 Lewisham 
			 Unity City Academy 18 July 2008 Middlesbrough 
			 The Bridge Academy 10 September 2008 Hammersmith and Fulham 
			 City of London Academy - Islington 10 September 2008 Islington 
			 Globe Academy 10 September 2008 Southwark 
			 Evelyn Grace Academy 10 September 2009 Lambeth 
			 New Rickstones Academy 10 September 2009 Essex 
			 Bristol Metropolitan Academy 1 October 2008 City of Bristol 
			 Oasis Academy MediaCityUK 23 October 2008 Salford 
			 Burlington Danes Academy 19 November 2008 Hammersmith and Fulham 
			 City of London Academy 17 March 2009 Southwark 
			 The City Academy 7 September 2009 Hackney 
			 Parkwood Academy 7 September 2009 Sheffield 
			 South Leeds Academy 7 September 2009 Leeds

Schools: Repairs and Maintenance

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many schools have been refurbished through the Primary Capital Programme; how many of them were found to have asbestos in the course of the refurbishment; and how many had that asbestos removed;
	(2)  how much has been spent on refurbishing schools through the Primary Capital Programme; how much has been spent dealing with asbestos during such refurbishments; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: The Primary Capital Programme was rolled out to all local authorities from April 2009, supported by funding allocations of £755 million in 2009-10 and £893 million in 2010-11. In 2008-09, 23 regional pathfinder authorities received funding of £149 million and 32 exemplar projects-20 new build and 12 refurbishment-have already been completed. The programme commits to renewing at least half of all primary schools by 2022-23, and national output assumptions are that 5 per cent. of schools in the worst condition will be rebuilt or taken out of commission and 45 per cent. refurbished.
	Responsibility for prioritisation and procurement of specific projects rests with individual local authorities and information on those that involve asbestos removal will not be held centrally. Information on spend is not yet available and the Department does not collect data on spend in relation to the removal of asbestos.

Teachers: Training

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many entrants there were to  (a) primary school and  (b) secondary school teaching through (i) the Graduate Teacher Programme, (ii) a Postgraduate Certificate of Education, (iii) TeachFirst and (iv) a Bachelor of Education degree in the last year for which figures are available.

Vernon Coaker: The available information is given in the table and shows the number of trainees gaining qualified teacher status (QTS) by the requested routes and phase of training.
	Numbers of undergraduate QTS completers are not held separately for BEds, BAs or BScs with QTS.
	
		
			  Teachers gaining QTS by route and phase of training, 2007/08, England 
			   ITT course type 
			   Primary  Secondary  Total 
			 Graduate Teacher Programme 1,620 3,210 4,820 
			 Postgraduate 7,920 12,340 20,260 
			 Teach First Programme 0 270 270 
			 Undergraduate (BA or BSc with QTS, or BEd) 5,340 870 6,210 
			  Notes: 1. Excludes cases where QTS was granted primarily as a result of assessment-based training.  2. Figures for secondary also include those for key stage 2-3.  3. Other routes to QTS not presented here include: Overseas Trained Teacher programme; and the Registered Teacher programme.  4. The recruitment figures for Teach First are starters at the Teach First summer institute. This is the most comparable indicator to 'entrants' via other initial teacher training routes. Teach First is mainly secondary but there is a pilot of 30 primary places spread across 2008/09 and 2009/10.  5. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.  Source:  TDA's Performance Profiles.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what methodology will be used to determine the cost to local authorities which do not reduce their emissions below their baseline of the purchase of carbon allowances under the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC); and what he expects the average expenditure of a local authority on such allowances to be in the first year of the implementation of the CRC.

Joan Ruddock: Any costs (or financial benefits) attributed to local authorities or other CRC participants will be based on a participant's relative placing in the CRC league table. The expenditure of a local authority or other CRC participant on the purchase of carbon allowances cannot be forecast as it will depend on a range of factors including participants' planned energy efficiency improvements and their approach to risk management.

Climate Change: International Cooperation

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effects of the outcomes of the Copenhagen climate change conference on his Department's policies.

Joan Ruddock: I refer the hon. Member to the oral statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 5 January 2010,  Official Report, column 42, for the Government's assessment of the Copenhagen conference.
	At home, the UK's Low Carbon Transition Plan provides a long-term vision to make the UK a low carbon economy while maximising economic opportunities, maintaining secure energy supplies and protecting the most vulnerable in society. No changes are envisaged following the immediate outcomes of the Copenhagen conference.

Departmental Conferences

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much was spent by his Department on conferences it organised which were subsequently cancelled in each of the last three years; and what the title was of each such conference.

Joan Ruddock: For the duration of DECC's existence (approximately one year) there has been nil spend on conferences cancelled.

Departmental Information and Communications Technology

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on what pay band his Department's chief information officer (CIO) is employed; whether the CIO is employed on a fixed-term or permanent contract; and what the size is of the budget for which the CIO is responsible in the period 2009-10.

Joan Ruddock: The Department's chief information officer is in Senior Civil Service Pay Band 1. The post is currently filled by a permanent civil servant on loan to DECC. The CIO's delegated budget for 2009-10 is £10.961 million.

Departmental Sick Leave

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many day's sickness absence have been taken by staff in his Department in each month of 2009-10; and at what cost.

Joan Ruddock: The Department encourages a culture where good attendance is expected and valued. However, it recognises from time to time absences for medical reasons may be unavoidable. The Department aims to treat its staff who are ill with sympathy and fairness and where possible provide them with support which will enable them to recover their health and return to work.
	The number of days of sickness absence taken by staff in DECC in each of the last 12 months could be calculated only by incurring disproportionate cost. However, the total number of working days lost due to sickness in the year to 30 September 2009 (the latest available figure) is 2,521, an average of 2.6 days per employee.
	The Department does not routinely calculate the number of staff who have received sick pay. As this would involve manually investigating employee sickness records and pay details on an individual basis, the cost of doing this would be disproportionate to the benefit to be derived.

Departmental Training

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many sessions of media training were organised for Ministers in his Department in each of the last three years.

Joan Ruddock: Ministers have not received any media training since the creation of the Department in October 2008.

Energy: Housing

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his most recent estimate is of the unit cost of  (a) subsidising and  (b) funding the provision of (i) energy-efficient light bulbs and (ii) insulation for a home.

Joan Ruddock: The main route by which insulation and energy efficient light bulbs are promoted to households is through the Carbon Emission Reduction Target. This is an obligation on energy suppliers to meet household carbon emission saving targets. The suppliers' unit cost of purchase and the level of subsidy they employ is commercial in confidence. The Government estimate that the total unit cost of compact fluorescent lights (including administrative costs) is around £1.41, and for cavity wall insulation is around £455. There are a number of variables which impact the estimates for the level of subsidy suppliers employ, including whether the household is a priority group or non priority group customer and whether it is in social housing. For example, for cavity wall insulation in non social housing, the estimate for energy supplier subsidy is on average just under 100 per cent. for priority group households and just over 50 per cent. for non priority group households.

Hotels

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many hotel room nights were booked by officials in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies in each year since its inception; and how much (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies spent on the fees of third party agents in booking hotel accommodation in each of those years.

Joan Ruddock: Since its inception on 3 October 2008 and from information held centrally, the number of hotel room nights booked by officials in my Department by November 2009 totalled 1,006. Additionally some officials booked accommodation using their Government procurement cards (GPCs) and to provide details of each transaction would entail disproportionate cost.
	Hotel accommodation is provided through a cross-Government hotel booking agent contract awarded by Buying Solutions. Records of fees paid are not centrally recorded and to provide this information would entail disproportionate cost.

Natural Environment Research Council: University of East Anglia

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much the Natural Environment Research Council has provided in grants, subsidies or awards to the University of East Anglia in each financial year since 1998; and how much was assigned to the University's Climatic Research Unit in each such year.

David Lammy: I have been asked to reply.
	The following table shows the total value of awards made by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) to the university of East Anglia (UEA) in each year from 1998 to 2009. It also includes the value of any of these awards categorised as climate or climate-related. Figures for awards specifically to the Climatic Research Unit are not available. NERC believes, however, that grants made to Climatic Research Unit researchers comprise a minor fraction of the climate and climate-related investment at UEA shown in the table.
	
		
			  £ 
			   Value of awards  Climate or climate-related 
			 1998 948,384.94 62,882.10 
			 1999 11,287,324.06 402,827.36 
			 2000 1,941,181.48 323,862.26 
			 2001 1,748,299.40 49,126.90 
			 2002 2,863,353.23 496,085.72 
			 2003 2,962,350.43 380,176.50 
			 2004 4,799,174.17 535,019.81 
			 2005 1,221,937.41 154,244.23 
			 2006 5,629,314.61 1,437,330.11 
			 2007 4,274,160.15 1,002,880.45 
			 2008 3,493,268.34 292,047.28 
			 2009 1,713,297.00 66,303.42 
			 Total 42,882,045.22 5,202,786.14

Tidal Power

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of Seagen's tidal stream project technology located in Strangford Lough and its possible application in other waters of the United Kingdom, with particular reference to the River Thames; and if he will make a statement.

David Kidney: Funding bodies such as Technology Strategy Board and Carbon Trust who have provided funding to the Seagen project have made assessments of the technology, which is the most advanced tidal stream technology.
	It is for developers to determine where the most suitable locations are to deploy their devices. The UK tidal stream resource has been mapped by a project team led by APB Marine Environmental Research and this can be viewed at
	http://www.renewables-atlas.info/

DEFENCE

Equipment and Vehicles: Afghanistan

Robert Goodwill: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether new equipment and vehicles being introduced for use in Afghanistan are available for pre-deployment training.

Quentin Davies: There is always a difficult balance to strike when we provide new equipment and vehicles for operations in Afghanistan. We want to allow our deployed forces to take advantage of the latest equipment as soon as possible. On the other hand, they must be thoroughly trained on the equipment they use before they face the enemy.
	We endeavour to deploy complete equipment capability, which is a combination of trained manpower and sustainable equipment. To do this, often the first delivery of a new item of equipment is required for training to ensure the best effect is achieved from the new capability once deployed. That said, there can be occasions, particularly with less complex equipments, when it makes sense to strike a different balance and train in theatre.

Skill Force

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has provided support to Skill Force to place former service training personnel in employment in secondary schools in Nottingham.

Kevan Jones: The Ministry of Defence has been a firm supporter of Skill Force since the idea of using retired service personnel to re-motivate young people was first suggested and inspired its creation in 2000.
	Skill Force has received a grant of £30,000 from the Ministry of Defence towards a Two Year Pilot Internship Programme for personnel recovering from physical and psychological injuries and illness as part of their rehabilitation pathway and a lieutenant-colonel is currently seconded full time to manage the programme.
	No interns have yet been placed in the Nottinghamshire area. This is because locations for interns reflect their personal preferences.

Southern Afghanistan

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the implications for UK forces in southern Afghanistan of the recent US decision on troop numbers.

Bob Ainsworth: We welcome the US announcement that it will deploy additional forces to Southern Afghanistan. These additional troops will have a positive impact in increasing international security assistance force capacity to conduct security operations in the south and to train and partner the Afghan National Security Forces.
	We continue to work closely with our American counterparts and ISAF commanders to determine the best allocation of tasks in Southern Afghanistan.

Security Situation: Afghanistan

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his most recent assessment is of the security situation in Afghanistan.

Bill Rammell: We recognise that the security situation in Afghanistan remains serious, however, in the past year much has been achieved.
	At the end of 2009, we and the United States marines provided security for over 50 per cent. of the Helmand population, which is set to increase in 2010.

Veteran Support

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of support provided by his Department to service personnel leaving the armed forces; and if he will make a statement.

Kevan Jones: Although the great majority of service personnel make a successful transition from the armed forces to civilian life, the Ministry of Defence recognises that it can be a daunting experience. Therefore, my Department remains committed to supporting service leavers in making this important step.
	I am satisfied that the existing resettlement arrangements offered to service leavers by my Department remain robust and effective. However, resettlement arrangements are kept under constant review, to ensure that the needs of service leavers are met.
	The last major assessment of my Department's resettlement provision was undertaken in 2007 by the National Audit Office.
	The NAO commended the assistance offered to service leavers in helping them transition to civilian life, and found that 94 per cent. of service personnel who were seeking work using the Career Transition Partnership services were in employment within six months of leaving the armed forces.

UK-US Defence Cooperation Treaty

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the ratification of the UK-US defence co-operation treaty.

Bob Ainsworth: I speak to Secretary Gates regularly, and the UK-US Defence Trade Co-operation treaty is a frequent subject of discussion. My Cabinet colleagues, other Ministers and senior officials also raise the treaty regularly with their counterparts, and we look forward to early ratification.

Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Region

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the security threat posed by the Taliban in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region.

Brooks Newmark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the security threat posed by the Taliban in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region.

Bill Rammell: The threat posed by the Taliban remains serious. On both sides of the border efforts to bring stability and operations to constrict the insurgents' ability to operate continue.
	This approach was set out by the Prime Minister in our April 2009 policy document Afghanistan-Pakistan: The Way Forward.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region.

Bill Rammell: The threat posed by the Taleban remains serious. On both sides of the border efforts to bring stability and operations to constrict the insurgents' ability to operate continue.
	This approach was set out by the Prime Minister in our April 2009 Policy Document 'Afghanistan-Pakistan: The Way Forward'.

Air Force: Military Bases

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 7 December 2009,  Official Report, column 90W, on the Royal Air Force: military bases, what provision of the Data Protection Act 1999 governs the withholding of the name of each base commander requested in the question; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 the names of the RAF commanders are classed as personal data. Section 1(1) of the Act defines 'personal data' as information which relate to a living individual, who can be identified from the data. The First Data Principle requires that personal data have to be processed fairly and lawfully and to allow disclosure have to meet one of the conditions contained in schedule 2. One of the conditions is the consent of the person. In cases where the individual's personal details have already been made public they would have had to provide consent, which would fulfil the first condition contained at schedule 2 to the Act.
	The names of the Station Commanders for RAF Wyton, RAF Digby and RAF St. Mawgan were incorrectly omitted from the reply given on 7 December 2009,  Official Report, column 90W due to an administrative error. Their names are shown as follows:
	
		
			  Base  Position  Name/Rank 
			 RAF Wyton Station Commander Group Captain Smith 
			 RAF Brampton   
			 RAF Henlow   
			
			 RAF Digby Station Commander Group Captain Bailey 
			
			 RAF St. Mawgan Station Commander Wing Commander Loader

Armed Forces: Uniforms

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of waterproof clothing issued to members of the armed services.

Quentin Davies: Performance of in-service items is assessed in two ways: defect reports from the users and periodic visits to front line command operational units to seek user feedback on equipment. There have been no defect reports or concerns relating to the performance of in-service items. A trial was recently carried out to compare the in-service waterproof clothing with two commercially available products, from two suppliers, in which the in-service waterproof clothing performed extremely well.

Armed Forces: Uniforms

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will introduce the taped seam clothing specification developed for waterproof clothing as part of his Department's Personal Equipment and Common Operational Clothing programme.

Quentin Davies: The Personal Equipment and Common Operational Clothing Programme is an ongoing project, and no decisions about whether to change the specification of waterproof clothing have yet been made.

Colombia: Military Aid

Anne Moffat: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK service personnel are assigned to duties in Colombia.

Bill Rammell: There are currently two military personnel assigned to diplomatic duties and attached to the British embassy in Bogota. In addition, there are a small number of personnel conducting counter-narcotics capacity building activities.

Military Aircraft: Helicopters

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the future of manufacturing of Chinook helicopters in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Quentin Davies: The intent to purchase 22 new Chinook helicopters was announced on 15 December 2009,  Official Report, columns 99-100WS. The place of final assembly of these helicopters will be decided later this year, and will be based on ensuring that the aircraft are delivered at the rate and quality required and in the most cost-effective manner. Through-life support of our Chinook fleet will continue to be carried out in the UK with our industrial partners.

Military Aircraft: Helicopters

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the first Chinook reverted from HC3 to HC2 will be deployed to Afghanistan.

Quentin Davies: The first of eight Chinook HC3 aircraft, reverted to HC2 Support Helicopter standard, was delivered for training purposes in November 2009, and is therefore already fulfilling tasking commitments as part of the wider Chinook fleet. A second Chinook is scheduled for delivery shortly, when it will also be available for training purposes. The remaining six aircraft will be delivered during the course of 2010 and delivery is expected to be complete by the end of the year. This will allow us to deploy more Chinooks to Afghanistan in the course of 2010.

Military Aircraft: Helicopters

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many combat-ready helicopters are stationed at the British Sovereign Base Area of  (a) Akrotiri and  (b) Dhekelia.

Bill Rammell: There are no combat-ready helicopters stationed at the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri or Dhekelia.

Radioactive Materials: Transport

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the high security vehicles for the transfer of special nuclear materials are still in service.

Bill Rammell: In support of the UK's nuclear deterrent, High Security Vehicles are used to transport special nuclear material between the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Burghfield and the Royal Naval Armament Depot Coulport. These vehicles are planned to remain in service until they are replaced by the Truck Cargo Heavy Duty Mk 3. As I told the hon. Member in the answer I gave on 10 November 2009,  Official Report, column 237W, these are planned to be brought into service by the end of 2010.

Yemen: Military Aid

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK armed forces personnel are based in Yemen; and what their role is.

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will deploy UK armed forces personnel to Yemen.

Bob Ainsworth: As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary told the House on 5 January 2010,  Official Report, column 21, we are pursuing a cross-governmental strategy in Yemen based on addressing the causes of conflict, support for political structures, building Yemeni capacity to tackle security, and helping the Yemeni Government to deliver the functions of the state.
	The Ministry of Defence is fully engaged in this strategy, and there are currently two UK military personnel in the Defence Section of the UK embassy in Yemen, whose role is to advise the ambassador on defence issues.
	Our relationship with Yemen, as with many other countries, also includes work on counter-terrorism. At the invitation of the Government of Yemen we are providing a training and mentoring programme for the Yemen Coast Guard and we are also offering training to the counter-terrorist police unit. It is not the practice of the Government to make public the details of such assistance to individual countries as this would, or would be likely to, prejudice international relations.
	We will continue to offer support to the Government of Yemen and will consider any further requests for training assistance.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Hotels

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many hotel room nights were booked by officials in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies in each year since 2007; and how much (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies spent on the fees of third party agents in booking hotel accommodation in each of those years.

Michael Foster: The information requested is not held centrally and would incur disproportionate cost to provide.

Overseas Aid: Uganda

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make provision of aid by his Department to Uganda conditional on a removal of anti-homosexual legislation and ending of public statements of anti-gay prejudice by Ugandan Government ministers.

Gareth Thomas: Aid provided by the Department for International Development (DFID) to Uganda is conditional on progress in reducing poverty, strengthening financial management and respecting human rights and international obligations. Recent assessments of human rights in Uganda indicate mixed progress. The UK Government, alongside the EU, US, French, Canadian and Swedish Governments, has lobbied intensely against the introduction of new anti-homosexual legislation in Uganda. We are monitoring this situation closely. DFID will continue to take the human rights situation into account when making decisions on funding to Uganda.

St. Helena: Airports

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent progress has been made on deciding upon air access options for St Helena.

Michael Foster: I refer the hon. Member to the statement the Secretary of State for International Development made on 15 December 2009,  Official Report, columns 114-15WS on St. Helena.

Tony Blair

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many officials of his Department are presently seconded to support Tony Blair in his role as Middle East peace envoy; what procedure is in place for those officials to report formally to their home Department; and whether they remain subject to the Civil Service code.

Michael Foster: At present the Department for International Development (DFID) has one person seconded to the Office of the Quartet Representative (OQR). This secondee is tasked on a day-to-day basis by the Head of the OQR, but reports formally to the Head of DFID's office in Jerusalem. As the secondee continues to be a UK civil servant, they are still subject to the Civil Service code.

Tony Blair

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on what date  (a) he and  (b) other Ministers in his Department last met Tony Blair in his capacity as Middle East peace envoy.

Michael Foster: Tony Blair was appointed the representative of the Middle East diplomatic Quartet (the United Nations, Russian Federation, United States, and European Union) in June 2007. There have been no formal meetings between Tony Blair and the Secretary of State for International Development, or other Ministers in the Department of International Development, since he was appointed to this role.
	Staff from the Department for International Development's office in Jerusalem are in regular contact with the Office of the Quartet Representative, which is also based in Jerusalem.

World Food Programme

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department's assessment of the benefits of the World Food Programme has changed in the last three years.

Michael Foster: The Department for International Development (DFID) delivers more humanitarian assistance through the World Food Programme (WFP) than through any other agency.
	The UK Government continue to recognise the vital role of the WFP in responding to emergencies around the world, saving millions of lives. The WFP plays an important role in emergency logistics, preparedness and disaster risk management and in fragile and post-conflict situations is often uniquely placed to help deliver effective transitions to stability.
	WFP is also increasingly working to enhance long-term food security. Examples include programmes to improve nutrition and using their local purchasing power to create markets for smallholder farmers. However the evidence base for the effectiveness of some interventions, especially in more stable development contexts, requires strengthening.

World Food Programme

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development for what reason the UK contribution to the World Food Programme has been reduced in real terms since 2008; on what projects or programmes expenditure has been reduced as a consequence; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Foster: UK direct contributions to WFP in 2008 and 2009 were £89.9 million (equivalent to US$169 million) and £81.7 million (equivalent to US$127.6 million) respectively. These are the two highest contributions in the period 2004-09. Our ranking among WFP's donors was similar (seventh in 2008 and eighth in 2009) and our share of WFP's total income (in US$ terms) was almost the same (3.3 per cent. in 2008 and 3.2 per cent. in 2009). In both years we contributed more to WFP than to any other humanitarian agency or fund.
	Our contributions to WFP take into account the different ways in which we can help protect the most vulnerable. The main reason we contributed less to WFP in some countries in 2009 is that while the food price crisis of 2008 required an exceptional food assistance response, the persisting problems of food insecurity required a broader range of actions-not all involving WFP. For example in Bangladesh we are tackling chronic food insecurity through our social protection, livelihoods and health/nutrition interventions. In Kenya we are supporting non-governmental organisations that who are specifically working on child malnutrition.
	Our 2008 funding was also boosted by the response to Cyclone Nargis (£12.6 million equivalent to US$24.8 million) and the final year of our institutional strengthening programme with WFP (£2.8 million equivalent to US$5.0 million).

HEALTH

Alcoholism: Health Services

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many alcohol-related admissions there were for 16 to 24 years olds in  (a) Northamptonshire,  (b) the East Midlands and  (c) England in each of the last three years.

Gillian Merron: The number of 16 to 24-year-olds admitted to hospital with an alcohol-related diagnosis in Northamptonshire, the East Midlands and England for the last three years is given in the table. The Department does not collect data on the number of alcohol-related hospital admissions in Wales.
	Data on alcohol-related admissions in Wales were published by the Welsh Assembly Government in their annual publication Substance Misuse in Wales. However, it is important to note that the methodology used to produce these data differ from that used for England and so the two sets of data are not comparable.
	
		
			  Number of hospital admissions of patients aged 16 to 24-year-olds with an alcohol-related diagnosis, 2006-07 to 2008-09 
			   2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 
			 Northamptonshire 535 626 679 
			 East Midlands 3,396 4,488 4,518 
			 England 46,852 49,287 49,315 
			  Activity: Includes activity in English national health service hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector.  Alcohol-related admissions: The number of alcohol-related admissions is based on the methodology developed by the North West Public Health Observatory.  Ungrossed data: Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).  Data quality: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. Data are also received from a number of independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.  Assessing growth through time: HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. The quality and coverage of the data have improved over time. These improvements in information submitted by the NHS have been particularly marked in the earlier years and need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. Some of the increase in figures for later years (particularly 2006-07 onwards) may be due to the improvement in the coverage of independent sector activity. Changes in NHS practice also need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. For example, a number of procedures may now be undertaken in out-patient settings and may no longer be accounted for in the HES data. This may account for any reductions in activity over time.  Assignment of episodes to years: Years are assigned by the end of the first period of care in a patient's hospital stay.  Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The Information Centre for Health and Social Care

Babies: Screening

David Clelland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to implement the recommendations of the NHS Human Tissue Authority Research Project entitled Routine examination of the newborn: the EMREN study.

Ann Keen: Recommendations from research funded by the Health Technology Assessment Programme Routine examination of the newborn: the EMREN study (2004) have been taken forward through:
	the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence clinical guideline Intrapartum care: care of healthy women and their babies during childbirth (2007) which can be viewed at:
	www.nice.org.uk/CG55
	the Royal College of Midwives' practice guideline: Evidence-based guidelines for midwifery-led care in labour (2008) which can be viewed at:
	www.rcm.org.uk/college/standards-and-practice/practice-guidelines/
	Standards for Maternity Care (2008) which include examination of the newborn, jointly developed by The Royal Colleges of: Midwives, Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Anaesthetists, and Paediatrics and Child Health. The document can be viewed at:
	www.rcog.org.uk/files/rcog-corp/uploaded-files/WPRMaternityStandards2008.pdf

Carers

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate has been made of the number of people who have left full-time employment in the last three years to become a carer.

Phil Hope: This information is not held centrally.

Carers: Tamworth

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people resident in Tamworth constituency and aged over 60 were registered as carers in each year since 2007.

Phil Hope: Carers may register with a range of organisations for different purposes-there is no single register as such.
	The NHS Information Centre for health and social care does not collect the number of registered carers.
	The number of carers aged 65 and over offered an assessment or review by Staffordshire county council was 1,130 in 2007-08 and 1,260 in 2008-09 (provisional).
	Data at constituency level are not centrally available.

Children: Obesity

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of children between  (a) five and 10 and  (b) 11 and 16 years old have been diagnosed as clinically overweight in (i) England and (ii) Milton Keynes in each year since 1997.

Gillian Merron: The information is not available in the format requested. Data are not held nationally on children who have been diagnosed as clinically overweight.
	Children trend table 4 in the Health Survey for England-2008: trend tables contains the percentage of children aged 2-10 and 11-16 in England who are overweight in each year between 1997 and 2008. This publication has been placed in the Library.
	Further information on the proportion of children who are overweight in England is collected through the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP). Table A in the NCMP main report shows the prevalence of overweight children aged 4-5 years and 10-11 years in Milton Keynes primary care trust area for 2006-09. Copies of the publications have been placed in the Library.

Children: Obesity

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many children under the age of 16 years old in  (a) Leicester and  (b) England were classified as (i) overweight and (ii) obese at the latest date for which information is available;
	(2)  how many children under the age of 16 years old diagnosed as diabetic were overweight or obese in each of the last five years.

Gillian Merron: The data are not available in the requested format.
	Data showing the number of children in England who are overweight and obese have been published in the Health Survey for England-2008: trend tables. In the Population Number Estimate Tables, Table 6 contains the numbers of children aged two to 15 years old who are overweight and obese. This table is available from the following link:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/health-and-lifestyles-related-surveys/health-survey-for-england/health-survey-for-england-2008-trend-tables
	A copy of the full report is available on the Information Centre website at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk
	Data on the number of children under 16 with diabetes who are overweight or obese are not collected centrally.

Continuing Care

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients qualified for continuing healthcare in each primary care trust area in each of the last three years.

Phil Hope: The requested information is provided in the following table.
	
		
			  Number receiving NHS continuing healthcare 2007-08 to 2009-10. 
			Quarter 
			  Organisation code  Organisation name  2007- 08  2008- 09  2009- 10 
			  England 24,952 37,920 44,924 
			  
			 5HG Ashton, Leigh and Wigan PCT 126 518 561 
			 5C2 Barking and Dagenham PCT 96 285 309 
			 5A9 Barnet PCT 242 363 431 
			 5JE Barnsley PCT 51 70 176 
			 5ET Bassetlaw PCT 17 38 58 
			 5FL Bath and North East Somerset PCT 158 234 213 
			 5P2 Bedfordshire PCT 172 151 226 
			 5QG Berkshire East PCT 71 535 265 
			 5QF Berkshire West PCT 268 186 193 
			 TAK Bexley Care Trust 127 155 122 
			 5PG Birmingham East and North PCT 147 220 258 
			 5CC Blackburn with Darwen PCT 49 46 65 
			 5HP Blackpool PCT 55 230 64 
			 5HQ Bolton PCT 119 175 277 
			 5QN Bournemouth and Poole PCT 146 418 670 
			 5NY Bradford and Airedale PCT 166 328 683 
			 5K5 Brent PCT 583 344 510 
			 5LQ Brighton and Hove City PCT 156 154 176 
			 5QJ Bristol PCT 86 295 366 
			 5A7 Bromley PCT 168 173 219 
			 5QD Buckinghamshire PCT 0 375 421 
			 5JX Bury PCT 22 42 79 
			 5J6 Calderdale PCT 77 179 254 
			 5PP Cambridgeshire PCT 174 387 401 
			 5K7 Camden PCT 166 115 181 
			 5NP Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT 100 293 402 
			 5NG Central Lancashire PCT 206 288 305 
			 5C3 City and Hackney PCT 175 218 143 
			 5QP Cornwall and Isles of Scilly PCT 541 684 718 
			 5ND County Durham PCT 517 575 560 
			 5MD Coventry PCT 836 449 331 
			 5K9 Croydon PCT 215 311 325 
			 5NE Cumbria PCT 140 142 240 
			 5J9 Darlington PCT 63 120 173 
			 5N7 Derby City PCT 152 248 332 
			 5N6 Derbyshire County PCT 218 816 848 
			 5QQ Devon PCT 227 989 757 
			 5N5 Doncaster PCT 153 410 306 
			 5QM Dorset PCT 42 539 579 
			 5PE Dudley PCT 277 214 322 
			 5HX Ealing PCT 77 85 208 
			 5P3 East and North Hertfordshire PCT 285 211 244 
			 5NH East Lancashire PCT 116 190 144 
			 5NW East Riding of Yorkshire PCT 35 86 177 
			 5P7 East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT 181 181 254 
			 5QA Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT 329 406 304 
			 5C1 Enfield PCT 168 239 223 
			 5KF Gateshead PCT 116 93 121 
			 5QH Gloucestershire PCT 61 280 465 
			 5PR Great Yarmouth and Waveney PCT 43 86 103 
			 5A8 Greenwich PCT 135 147 155 
			 5NM Halton and St Helens PCT 100 326 672 
			 5H1 Hammersmith and Fulham PCT 94 200 135 
			 5QC Hampshire PCT 1,076 1,940 1,685 
			 5C9 Haringey PCT 185 238 285 
			 5K6 Harrow PCT 306 320 246 
			 5D9 Hartlepool PCT 152 125 112 
			 5P8 Hastings and Rother PCT 56 155 89 
			 5A4 Havering PCT 316 318 262 
			 5MX Heart of Birmingham PCT 61 57 101 
			 5CN Herefordshire PCT 52 218 267 
			 5NQ Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCT 82 139 104 
			 5AT Hillingdon PCT 290 376 281 
			 5HY Hounslow PCT 294 292 181 
			 5NX Hull PCT 168 65 190 
			 5QT Isle of Wight NHS PCT 57 253 214 
			 5K8 Islington PCT 127 95 103 
			 5LA Kensington and Chelsea PCT 140 205 200 
			 5A5 Kingston PCT 71 83 111 
			 5N2 Kirklees PCT 125 299 413 
			 5J4 Knowsley PCT 56 148 183 
			 5LD Lambeth PCT 120 176 174 
			 5N1 Leeds PCT 520 784 774 
			 5PC Leicester City PCT 103 162 213 
			 5PA Leicestershire County and Rutland PCT 187 312 426 
			 5LF Lewisham PCT 113 145 206 
			 5N9 Lincolnshire PCT 431 239 625 
			 5NL Liverpool PCT 225 285 639 
			 5GC Luton PCT 130 125 96 
			 5NT Manchester PCT 128 219 354 
			 5L3 Med way PCT 117 99 139 
			 5PX Mid Essex PCT 273 201 184 
			 5KM Middlesbrough PCT 88 148 118 
			 5CQ Milton Keynes PCT 63 65 81 
			 5D7 Newcastle PCT 66 106 99 
			 5C5 Newham PCT 55 223 149 
			 5PQ Norfolk PCT 233 339 416 
			 5PW North East Essex PCT 56 93 83 
			 TAN North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus n/a 132 192 
			 5AN North East Lincolnshire PCT 99 n/a n/a 
			 5NF North Lancashire PCT 246 330 491 
			 5EF North Lincolnshire PCT 60 143 238 
			 5M8 North Somerset PCT 34 129 218 
			 5PH North Staffordshire PCT 121 146 202 
			 5E1 North Tees PCT 96 221 308 
			 5D8 North Tyneside PCT 102 170 152 
			 5NV North Yorkshire and York PCT 245 386 757 
			 5PD Northamptonshire PCT 397 476 783 
			 TAC Northumberland Care Trust 213 216 277 
			 5EM Nottingham City PCT 87 172 205 
			 5N8 Nottinghamshire County PCT 212 433 659 
			 5J5 Oldham PCT 122 244 282 
			 5QE Oxfordshire PCT 145 441 563 
			 5PN Peterborough PCT 123 66 124 
			 5F1 Plymouth PCT 100 398 649 
			 5FE Portsmouth City PCT 190 222 341 
			 5NA Red bridge PCT 138 179 161 
			 5QR Redcar and Cleveland PCT 58 65 72 
			 5M6 Richmond and Twickenham PCT 104 105 95 
			 5H8 Rotherham PCT 82 164 71 
			 5F5 Salford PCT 35 242 208 
			 5PF Sandwell PCT 333 92 131 
			 5NJ Sefton PCT 131 174 168 
			 5N4 Sheffield PCT 99 414 670 
			 5M2 Shropshire County PCT 80 280 580 
			 TAM Solihull Care Trust 125 149 178 
			 5QL Somerset PCT 120 254 452 
			 5M1 South Birmingham PCT 76 115 209 
			 5P1 South East Essex PCT 111 38 114 
			 5A3 South Gloucestershire PCT 77 135 189 
			 5PK South Staffordshire PCT 195 310 535 
			 5KG South Tyneside PCT 156 89 96 
			 5PY South West Essex PCT 67 49 43 
			 5L1 Southampton City PCT 275 232 236 
			 5LE Southwark PCT 119 151 128 
			 5F7 Stockport PCT 82 192 339 
			 5PJ Stoke on Trent PCT 133 141 168 
			 5PT Suffolk PCT 49 190 299 
			 5KL Sunderland Teaching PCT 203 257 275 
			 5P5 Surrey PCT 388 641 739 
			 5M7 Sutton and Merton PCT 187 216 251 
			 5K3 Swindon PCT 54 73 156 
			 5LH Tameside and Glossop PCT 103 195 200 
			 5MK Telford and Wrekin PCT 180 221 324 
			 TAL Torbay Care Trust 130 154 146 
			 5C4 Tower Hamlets PCT 74 71 114 
			 5NR Trafford PCT 56 60 90 
			 5N3 Wakefield District PCT 159 190 235 
			 5M3 Walsall PCT 47 272 345 
			 5NC Waltham Forest PCT 109 131 183 
			 5LG Wandsworth PCT 59 94 111 
			 5J2 Warrington PCT 105 113 215 
			 5PM Warwickshire PCT 311 659 881 
			 5PV West Essex PCT 90 93 113 
			 5P4 West Hertfordshire PCT 290 283 315 
			 5P9 West Kent PCT 305 225 372 
			 5P6 West Sussex PCT 365 592 207 
			 5NN Western Cheshire PCT 93 135 152 
			 5LC Westminster PCT 239 186 5 
			 5QK Wiltshire PCT 135 315 453 
			 5NK Wirral PCT 70 143 288 
			 5MV Wolverhampton City PCT 127 265 258 
			 5PL Worcestershire PCT 270 362 384

Departmental Domestic Visits

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many planned visits by Ministers in his Department within the UK were cancelled within 72 hours of the visit taking place in the last 12 months; and what the planned venue or venues were for each such visit.

Phil Hope: The information requested is not held centrally.

Diabetes: Young People

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children under the age of 16 years old are being treated for diabetes in  (a) England,  (b) Leicester and  (c) the East Midlands.

Ann Keen: Sufficient data to answer the question are not collected routinely. Participation in the National Diabetes Audit (NDA) is not mandatory. The NDA does not have one hundred per cent. coverage or participation and therefore cannot provide the information required.
	Data from 'Growing Up with Diabetes: Children and Young People with Diabetes in England' reported that in February 2009 there were 16,219 children under the age of 16 in England with diabetes and 950 children under the age of 16 in the East Midlands strategic health authority (SHA) with diabetes. Data are available at SHA level only, not for individual primary care trusts.

Diabetes: Young People

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated on the link between diet and diabetes in children.

Gillian Merron: The Department's National Institute for Health Research is supporting research relating to diabetes in children and associated risk factors such as obesity through the University College London Hospitals biomedical research centre, and through its programme grants for applied research and research for patient benefit funding schemes.
	The Yorkshire register of diabetes in children and young people is funded by the Department's policy research programme. Its aim is to describe the epidemiology of diabetes, investigate the molecular and environmental causes of the disease, and facilitate health services research.
	Evaluation of the evidence base linking diet to chronic diabetes has informed Government policy on obesity as set out in the strategy document, 'Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives,' and promoted via social marketing campaign Change4Life.
	The Department continues to monitor emerging research findings in this area.

Diabetes: Young People

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding has been allocated for the prevention of diabetes in children in the next 12 months.

Gillian Merron: There are currently no evidence-based interventions that can prevent onset of type 1 diabetes. Therefore, there is no specific funding allocated in the next 12 months for the prevention of type 1 diabetes in children.
	Type 2 diabetes is much rarer in children than type 1, and there is a strong evidence base closely linking type 2 diabetes with obesity and inactivity.
	The Government are helping to prevent type 2 diabetes in children through cross-government strategies like 'Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives' which has an aim to reduce the proportion of overweight and obese children, and schemes such as the £75 million Change4Life social marketing programme, which helps individuals and families to make changes for a healthier lifestyle.
	We are investing in research into all areas of diabetes. The Department and the Medical Research Council jointly are currently investing around £51 million into diabetes related research.

Dieticians: Manpower

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies there were for dieticians in the national health service on average in each of the last five years.

Ann Keen: Dieticians are not separately identified in the NHS Workforce Census. Dieticians are, however, included within the category of dietetics. The following table outlines the three-month vacancy numbers, for the period March 2005 to March 2009, and total vacancy numbers, for the period March 2008 to March 2009, for the dietetics speciality.
	
		
			  Dietetic vacancy numbers 
			   Three-month vacancies( 1) 
			  March  each year  
			 2005 87 
			 2006 38 
			 2007 30 
			 2008 12 
			 2009 28 
			 (1)( )Three-month vacancies are vacancies as at 31 March which trusts are actively trying to fill, which had lasted for three months or more.

Doctors: Working Hours

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much PA Consulting is being paid to assist Sir John Temple with his review of medical training under European Working Time Regulations.

Ann Keen: Professor Sir John Temple's review is looking into the impact of the European Working Time Directive on the quality of postgraduate training for doctors, dentists, pharmacists and healthcare scientists.
	The review follows concerns raised by some professional groups, trainees and trainers and it was important to undertake an independent and objective assessment.
	Sir John is the review's independent chair and is carrying out the work on behalf of Medical Education England. He is being supported by PA Consulting and their work on this complex project will include a wide range of evidence gathering activities with a large number of professional stakeholders. The contract is worth £297,000.

Drugs: Young Offender Institutions

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of inmates of young offenders' institutions were treated for drug addiction in each of the last three years.

Phil Hope: The information requested is not available.

General Practitioners: Musculoskeletal Disorders

Patrick Hall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to enhance training for general practitioners in musculoskeletal medicine with a view to reducing the length of time taken in referral, diagnosis and treatment.

Ann Keen: The content of curriculum and quality and standard of training for medical students and general practitioners is not the responsibility of the Department but the responsibility of the appropriate professional regulatory body.
	However, the Department is committed to working with the professional regulatory bodies, Royal Colleges and others to promote high standards of education and training to ensure that students and doctors are equipped with the up to date knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for professional practice.

Health Services: Armed Forces

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of progress towards implementing the commitments made in the document The nation's commitment: cross-Government support to our armed forces, their families and veterans.

Mike O'Brien: The first annual report of the External Reference Group on progress in meeting the commitments contained in the Command Paper, The Nation's Commitment: Cross-Government support to our Armed Forces, their Families and Veterans was published on 19 November 2009. All of the health commitments for which the Department has responsibility have been delivered or, in the case of longer term commitments, on course for delivery.
	Copies of the report have already been placed in the Library.

Home Care Services

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the creation of independent provider arms for community care.

Mike O'Brien: 'NHS Next Stage Review: Our Vision for Primary and Community Care', (Department of Health July 2008) made a commitment to support the national health service in making local decisions on the governance and organisational models that best underpin the development of flexible, responsive community services. 'Enabling New Patterns of Provision' (Department of Health, January 2009) set out best practice guidance for primary care trusts (PCTs) to support them to make decisions on the most appropriate organisational form or forms for delivery of their directly provided community services. This followed a requirement in the 'Operating Framework 2008-09' that they must have moved into a contractual relationship with the community provider function and achieve business readiness by April 2009.
	The 'Operating Framework 2010-11' (Department of Health, 16 December 2009) sets out that by March 2010 PCTs must have agreed with strategic health authorities proposals for the future organisational structure of all current PCT-provided community services.
	'NHS Next Stage Review: Our Vision for Primary and Community Care', 'Enabling New Patterns of Provision' and 'Operating Framework 2010-11' have already been placed in the Library and are also available on the Department's website at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/index.htm

Home Care Services

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons the Green Paper on Shaping the Future of Care Together did not refer to the Government's policy on there being no cash losers among existing benefit recipients after the implementation of a National Care Service.

Phil Hope: The Green Paper, 'Shaping the Future of Care and Support Together', made clear that if we reform disability benefits as part of the National Care Service, anyone receiving an affected benefit at the time of reform would continue to receive the equivalent level of support and protection.

Hospital Beds: Dorset

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans there are for  (a) the number of bed spaces in Bournemouth hospital and  (b) the future of Christchurch hospital.

Mike O'Brien: The information requested is a matter for The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We have written to Sheila Collins, Chair of Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, informing her of the hon. Member's enquiry. She will reply shortly and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

Hospitals: Waiting Lists

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time was between general practitioner referral and treatment in respect of  (a) breast cancer,  (b) hip replacements,  (c) cataracts and  (d) endoscopy in the latest period for which figures are available.

Mike O'Brien: The available information on average waiting times is as follows:
	The cancer waiting time standard of a maximum wait of 62 days from urgent referral for suspected cancer to first treatment for breast cancer was introduced for all patients from 2002. The latest data (July to September 2009) show that 97.3 per cent. of providers delivered treatment for breast cancer within 62 days of referral. Statistics on average waiting times between urgent referral and treatment for breast cancer are not collected centrally;
	Latest data (October 2009) for trauma and orthopaedics show that the median referral to treatment waiting time for admitted patients was 11.4 weeks, and for non-admitted patients 4.8 weeks. Referral to treatment data are not collected to the level of specific treatments;
	Latest data (October 2009) for ophthalmology show that the median referral to treatment waiting time for admitted patients was 9.7 weeks, and for non-admitted patients 5 weeks. Referral to treatment data are not collected to the level of specific treatments; and
	Where endoscopies are used for treatment, they are included in the gastroenterology treatment function. Latest data (October 2009) for gastroenterology show that the median referral to treatment wait for admitted patients was 3.8 weeks, and for non-admitted patients 5.6 weeks. Referral to treatment data are not collected to the level of specific treatments.

Hotels

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hotel room nights were booked by officials in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies in each year since 2007; and how much (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies spent on the fees of third party agents in booking hotel accommodation in each of those years.

Phil Hope: Hotel bookings by civil servants are undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code respectively, and all expenditure has to be incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.
	The majority of hotel bookings are made through our hotel contract although some are booked directly. Information on the number of hotel rooms nights booked through our hotel contract is shown as follows.
	
		
			   Department  Purchasing and supply agency  Medicines and healthcare products regulatory authority 
			 April 2007 to March 2008 13,205 1,801 2,500 
			 April 2008 to March 2009 16,723 1,969 2,891 
			 April 2009 to November 2009 12,151 1,161 2,164 
		
	
	No fees are paid by the Department or its agencies for bookings made through its hotel booking contract.

Leeds General Infirmary: Manpower

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) doctors and  (b) nurses were employed at Leeds General Infirmary in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2009.

Ann Keen: The information is not available in the format requested. The following table shows the national health service staff in each specified group at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust as at 30 September each year.
	
		
			  Headcount 
			   1997  2008 
			 Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust - - 
			 Medical and dental staff 1,298 1,768 
			 Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff 4,390 4,498 
			  Notes: 1. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust was formed in 1998 from a complete merger of St. James' and Seacroft University Hospital and United Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. 2. Figures for 1997 are an aggregate of these two predecessor organisations. 3. 2009 figures are not yet available.  Source: The NHS Information Centre for health and social care Non-Medical Workforce Census. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care Medical and Dental Workforce Census.

Liver Diseases: Health Services

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what timetable has been set for the development of the National Liver Strategy; and when the final strategy will be completed.

Ann Keen: Our intention is to publish a national strategy for consultation by the autumn of 2011.

Liver Diseases: Health Services

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to consult  (a) patient groups,  (b) the public and  (c) health care professionals in the development of the National Liver Strategy.

Ann Keen: The Department will work closely with the national health service, public and patient groups on the development of the National Liver Strategy, and will undertake a consultation on the draft strategy before it is finalised.

NHS: Data Protection

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many members of NHS staff have been disciplined for inappropriate use of information on  (a) an NHS database and  (b) medical records in each of the last 10 years.

Mike O'Brien: The information requested is not held centrally. Legal responsibility for the secure handling and management of patient information rests with individual national health service organisations. It is therefore a matter for NHS organisations to take the appropriate action where patient information has been inappropriately accessed by their staff.

NHS: Motor Vehicles

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to his Department has been of repairing NHS vehicles that have been filled with the wrong type of fuel in each of the last five years.

Mike O'Brien: The Department does not collect the information requested. Funding of repairs to vehicles is a matter for the local national health service.

NHS: Non-Profit Making Associations

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether NHS staff transferred to a social enterprise will remain in the NHS pension scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: Where primary care trusts and staff set up social enterprises constituted as charities, community interest companies, or industrial and provident societies to deliver services, then staff transferring under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations can continue to benefit from the NHS Pension Scheme while they continue to work on national health service funded services. This is afforded by the provision of a direction under section 7(2) of the Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1967.

NHS: Standards

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the reasons are for the time taken by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to recommend new indicators to be considered in the Quality and Outcomes Framework.

Mike O'Brien: The new independent National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) process involves the suggestion of topics by stakeholders and collation of information about potential new indicators reviewed by its independent Primary Care QOF Advisory Committee. Potential topics are prioritised by the committee for further development and go through a period of piloting in a number of general practitioner practices across the United Kingdom. They are then subject to a period of consultation with stakeholders before final publication on the NICE menu for QOF. NHS Employers (on behalf of the Department) and the British Medical Association will then negotiate on which of the published indicators will be applied nationally and what the value of these indicators should be. Full details of the new process can be found in the published document called Developing clinical and health improvement indicators for the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF)-Interim process guide. A copy has already been placed in the Library.

NHS: Training

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent establishing the NHS Graduate Management Scheme for Communications; how many places will be available on this scheme in each of the next three years; and what the (a) wage costs and  (b) other running costs of this scheme will be in each of those years.

Ann Keen: The total cost spent on establishing and running the Pilot NHS Graduate Management Scheme for Communications is £1.2 million. This pilot scheme is just one stream of the larger graduate programme. The other established schemes are: General, Human Resources, Finance and Informatics.
	There are 12 trainees on the Pilot NHS Graduate Management Scheme for Communications who are each paid a starting salary of £21,733. The total cost (wage and running costs) for each trainee is £100,000 for the two years of the scheme.
	This is the same cost per trainee as for the other established graduate management schemes. The pilot communications scheme is the smallest of the schemes.
	The pilot communications scheme runs for two years-October 2009 to September 2011, although it is funded over three financial years to cover this period (October 2009 to March 2010, April 2010 to March 2011, April 2011 to September 2011-see the following table for full details.)
	The Department's Communications Directorate and Directors of Communications for six strategic health authorities jointly fund this pilot scheme. The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement manages the scheme.
	The breakdown of costs are:
	
		
			  £ 
			   Wage costs (including on costs such as national insurance and travel costs)  Running costs  Total 
			 October 2009-March 2010 168,000 182,000 350,000 
			 April 2010-March 2011 343,000 257,000 600,000 
			 April 2011-September 2011 168,000 82,000 250,000 
			 Total 679,000 521,000 1,200,000

Patients: Transport

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent estimate he has made of the number of voluntary drivers for NHS health services.

Mike O'Brien: The Department does not collect information on the number of voluntary car drivers for national health service services. The NHS locally is responsible for managing voluntary driver schemes.

Pharmacy: Regulation

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence is consulting on future General Pharmaceutical Council standards; and what recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of the existing standards.

Mike O'Brien: As the General Pharmaceutical Council will be independent of Government, it was not thought it appropriate for the Department to consult on these standards on their behalf.
	The General Pharmaceutical Council will be a new body with new powers so there are no comparable statutory standards in existence for pharmacy. However, where there are existing standards that cover the same geographical remit as the new regulator, that is Great Britain, they have been used as a starting point for development. In particular, the most recent Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain education standards have been incorporated where possible.

Radiography: Manpower

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many interventional radiologists work in each strategic health authority area; and whether his Department has a target for the preferred number of interventional radiologists per head of population in the NHS.

Ann Keen: Interventional radiologists (IR) are captured within the clinical radiology specialty in the NHS Workforce Census. IR are not separately identifiable within these figures as shown in the following table.
	There is currently no specific target, however, international radiology has been identified as a key priority for medical workforce planning and plans are in place for it to become a recognised sub-speciality.
	Workforce planning, including training, in the national health service is managed and led at a local level by the strategic health authorities taking into account the national policy direction.
	Local NHS organisations are best placed to determine the levels of service and resource required to meet the health needs of the local population.
	
		
			  Clinical radiology, England at 30 September 2008 
			   Number (headcount) 
			 England 3,284 
			 North East 168 
			 North West 485 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 350 
			 East Midlands 234 
			 West Midlands 249 
			 East of England 280 
			 London 470 
			 South East Coast 164 
			 South Central 270 
			 South West 344

TREASURY

Air Passenger Duty

Mark Hunter: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department  (a) made projections of the number of passengers departing the UK for all seat types which take account of the rise in air passenger duty on 1 November 2009 and  (b) has made any such projections in respect of 1 November 2010.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: In March 2009 HMRC published an impact assessment of the reformed APD on its website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ria/apd-reform-ia.pdf
	A copy was deposited in the Library of the House.

Air Passenger Duty

Mark Hunter: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors were taken into account in determining which flight seat types would be liable for  (a) the higher and  (b) standard air passenger duty.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Determining air passenger duty (APD) liability by reference to whether carriage on a plane is in the lowest class of travel (in which the majority of passengers travel) or any other class, is a simple and transparent system which minimises administrative burdens and compliance costs.

Banks: Iceland

Dai Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with his Icelandic counterpart since 5 January 2010 on compensation to UK investors in Icelandic banks who have lost their investments.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings and discussions with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings and discussions.

Child Benefit

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many child benefit applications are being processed for  (a) UK nationals,  (b) non-UK EEA nationals,  (c) A8 EEA nationals,  (d) A2 EEA nationals and  (e) non-European nationals.

Stephen Timms: All claims for child benefit are checked to establish whether further inquiries are required before being entered into the child benefit computer system.
	Where no further inquiries are required, claims are then processed.
	In some cases further inquiries are necessary before entitlement is decided.
	For non-European nationals when a claimant is subject to immigration control, this can involve inquiries being made with the claimant and the Home Office to determine the claimant's status.
	For all other claimants, when European Community regulations are involved, this can involve inquiries being made with the customer and other European economic area member states.

Child Benefit: Overpayments

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of  (a) the number and  (b) the amount of child benefit overpayments caused by the failure of a claimant to notify the Child Benefit Office of a change of circumstances in (i) 2005-06, (ii) 2006-07, (iii) 2007-08 and (iv) 2008-09.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is not available, as HM Revenue and Customs' systems do not capture the reasons for child benefit overpayments.

Departmental Buildings

John Baron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what works and refurbishments to offices allocated to Ministers in his Department's buildings that are included in the annual unitary payment have taken place since 27 June 2007.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: No major works or refurbishments have been undertaken in ministerial offices since 27 June 2007. During that period, only minimal redecoration works and minor office moves have been carried out within the PFI lifecycle fund and met from the annual unitary payment made to the PFI provider.

Departmental Fines

Edward Garnier: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what powers  (a) his Department and  (b) each of its agencies and its non-departmental public body has to impose administrative penalties; what the statutory basis is for each such power; and how much (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies and its non-departmental public bodies has recovered in administrative penalties in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Neither the Treasury, nor any of its agencies or non-departmental public bodies, have any powers to impose administrative penalties.

Excise Duties: Alcoholic Drinks

Paul Rowen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps HM Revenue and Customs are taking to prevent alcohol duty fraud in the supply chain.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: holding answer 7 January 2010
	The Chancellor announced at Budget 2009 the revised 'tackling alcohol fraud' strategy which has three principal themes:
	Strengthening our operational responses;
	Reducing opportunities for fraud;
	Closing off illicit supply chains.
	HMRC is making good progress on all three strands of this strategy. The regulatory framework is being strengthened to reduce opportunities for fraud; the new operational model for HMRC to respond to fraud using new approaches and the full range of HMRC's powers is on track to be implemented from April 2010; and HMRC is working with the large brewers and wholesale buying groups on developing practical measures to close off illicit supply chains by restricting the availability of illicit alcohol to fraudsters.

Excise Duties: Alcoholic Drinks

Paul Rowen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what investigations HM Revenue and Customs are conducting into illicit alcohol supply chains.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: holding answer 7 January 2010
	Investigations HM Revenue and Customs are conducting into illicit alcohol supply chains are a confidential matter. The results of investigations into alcohol fraud are published annually in HMRC's Departmental Autumn Performance Report copies of which are available on HMRC's internet site.

Financial Services: Advisory Services

Lorely Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons the Financial Services Authority has required independent financial advisers to requalify; and whether it sought legal advice prior to its decision on that matter.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Financial Services Authority has published several consultations detailing and explaining its proposals for reform of distribution of financial products. These are available on its website. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19 October 2009,  Official Report, column 1285W.

Financial Services: Regulation

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the appropriateness of the legislative power used by the Financial Services Authority in requiring independent financial advisers to re-qualify; and if he will make a statement.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5 November 2009,  Official Report, column 1096W.

Holiday Accommodation

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many furnished holiday lettings owned by  (a) UK residents and  (b) residents of other EU member states there are in (i) North Yorkshire and (ii) England.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is not available, as HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC) administrative systems do not capture information on the number or location of furnished holiday lettings. Non-UK residents are not eligible to claim tax relief under the furnished holiday lettings rules.

Housing: Solihull

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 16 September 2009,  Official Report, column 2212W, on housing: valuation, how many properties in Solihull local authority area there are with each code for  (a) type,  (b) room number,  (c) bedroom,  (d) bathroom,  (e) floors,  (f) floor level,  (g) parking,  (h) garaging,  (i) conservatory type,  (j) age,  (k) outbuilding and  (l) modernisation.

Ian Pearson: The number of properties with each individual dwelling house code and each value significant code, for all local authority areas in England, have been placed in the Library of the House

Housing: Valuation

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 10 November 2009,  Official Report, column 209W, on council tax: valuation, how reputational issues that affect open market value are recorded by the Valuation Office Agency.

Ian Pearson: Where a reputational issue that might be value significant comes to the attention of the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) it can be recorded on the VOA's database by using a 'WK' value significant code and/or it might be noted on a VOA domestic survey record.

Housing: Valuation

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer of 26 October 2009,  Official Report, column 74W, on housing: valuation, whether the Valuation Office Agency takes into account the presence of lack of planning permission when calculating local housing allowance for a dwelling which is a caravan.

Ian Pearson: The local housing allowance (LHA) was introduced on 7 April 2008 and is applicable to new applicants for housing benefit or to claimants moving property and having a break in claim. However, there are exemptions to the LHA and these include caravans.
	Any application to the local authority for housing benefit where the accommodation is a caravan will be subject to a referral to the rent officer for the rent officer to make a determination of a reasonable rent for housing benefit subsidy purposes. In making this determination, the presence or lack of planning permission is not taken into account. The amount of any award for housing benefit will rest with the local authority.

Housing: Valuation

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Valuation Office Agency plans to take steps to increase the proportion of dwellings with  (a) dwelling house code and  (b) value significant codes assigned to them.

Ian Pearson: Dwelling house codes and value significant codes are routinely updated in the course of the VOA undertaking its statutory duty to maintain the current valuation lists of approximately 24 million dwellings in England and Wales. The VOA will always look to ensure that its codes are as up to date and as accurate as possible in order to support its statutory functions.

Imports: Israel

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answers of 10 December 2009,  Official Report, column 583W, on imports: Israel, whether HM Revenue and Customs has requested from supermarkets the information from their tracking system on the origin of imports when the supermarket is not the importer.

Stephen Timms: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has not requested any information from supermarkets' tracking systems. I refer the hon. Member to my answer to her of 10 December 2009,  Official Report, column 583W. HMRC only has access to systems and records which relate directly to the customs declaration and to the person shown as the importer/consignee on it.

Imports: Israel

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answers of 10 December 2009,  Official Report, column 583W, on imports: Israel, what documentation provided in such cases is provided by  (a) producers, importers or Israeli authorities and  (b) organisations independent of producers, importers or Israeli authorities

Stephen Timms: The documentation consists of original commercial documents accompanying any customs import declaration: the sales invoice and delivery note/consignment note/packing list issued by the exporter and showing the UK importer/consignee, which in the case of fresh produce is normally an intermediate company, rather than a UK supermarket; plant health documentation (where required); and where a preferential rate of duty is being claimed, either a proof of preferential origin showing the place of production and zip code on the invoice or a Form EUR1 issued by the exporter and stamped by the Israeli authorities.

Imports: Israel

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2009,  Official Report, column 579W, on agricultural products: Israel, what  (a) the importer,  (b) the nature of the produce,  (c) the name of the settlement in which the consignment originated and  (d) the person or organisation responsible for misidentification was in the case of each of the six consignments wrongly claiming Israeli preferential origin; what sanctions were imposed by HM Revenue and Customs in respect of each consignment; and against whom.

Stephen Timms: For reasons of commercial confidentiality, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) cannot disclose the names of specific importers/exporters. The information requested in relation to the name of the settlement is not available because no place of production was shown on the proof of origin and HMRC had firm doubts about the origin of the goods.
	The identified products were three consignments of wine, two consignments of snacks/soft drinks and one consignment of chocolates. HMRC refused preferential tariff treatment and the UK importer was required to pay the full rate of customs duty on the consignments concerned.

Imports: Israel

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2009,  Official Report, column 579W, on agricultural products: Israel, who  (a) the importer,  (b) the stated place of origin,  (c) the actual place of origin and  (d) the person or organisation responsible for mislabelling was in relation to the two labelling irregularities for herbs; what sanctions were imposed by HM Revenue and Customs in each case; and against whom.

Stephen Timms: For reasons of commercial confidentiality HM Revenue and Customs cannot release the names of specific importers and exporters.
	The accompanying proofs of preferential origin showed that the produce had been produced in one case in 19 different locations including Avital, Nir Moshe, Rewaya and Yavne-EI, which had not been included in the lists of settlements and accompanying zip codes circulated by the European Commission.
	The place of production shown on outer packaging/cartons was the Jordan Valley.
	The goods were released from customs control upon provision of financial security for the full rate of customs duty payable. Inquiries are under way with the Israeli authorities to establish the true place of origin.

Imports: Israel

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2009,  Official Report, column 579W, on agricultural products: Israel, what additional checks HM Revenue and Customs has subsequently required of produce  (a) from the same importer,  (b) from the same producer and  (c) from the same place of origin as the misidentified and mislabelled goods referred to in the answer.

Stephen Timms: HM Revenue and Customs can confirm that once a duty demand is issued, it is their normal policy to examine further customs entries for the parties involved and to issue additional demands if necessary. They will also target any importer known to have production facilities in the occupied territories.

Imports: Israel

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2009,  Official Report, column 580W, on cosmetics: Israel, how many of the consignments referred to in the answer came from each post code of place of origin; and for how many of these consignments HM Revenue and Customs was informed that the business's head office address was the place of origin.

Stephen Timms: The information requested could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost, as HM Revenue and Customs would have to obtain and examine the documents, most of which will be held by the importer, in respect of the 996 customs declarations concerned.

Imports: Israel

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2009,  Official Report, column 580W, on cosmetics: Israel, what steps HM Revenue and Customs takes in such cases to ensure the place of production and not the business head office is given as place of origin.

Stephen Timms: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) provide specific guidance to importers, which is available at:
	http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/downloadFile?contentlD=HMCE_PROD1_028744
	In cases where there is any doubt as to the actual place of production, the claim to preference will be verified with the issuing authority in Israel.
	HMRC has also asked the European Commission to ensure that in its routine monitoring of the operation of the Technical Arrangement it checks that the Israeli authorities are including the actual place of production, rather than a head office, on the proof of origin.

Imports: Israel

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2009,  Official Report, column 580W, on cosmetics: Israel, how many consignments of produce imported into the UK originated in Mizpe Shalem in each of the last three years; and what the nature of the produce was.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is not available, as the Israeli settlements in the occupied territories do not have separate country codes.

Imports: Israel

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2009,  Official Report, column 579W, on agricultural products: Israel, what steps HM Revenue and Customs takes when it detects mislabelling to share that information with the equivalent authorities in other EU member states.

Stephen Timms: Any irregularities detected as a result of the application of the EU-Israel Technical Arrangement are reported directly to the European Commission. The Commission is co-ordinating community-wide action in ensuring that only those products which are entitled to Israeli preference receive such benefit, and it disseminates information about the action being taken and the results of those actions to all member states.

Income Tax: Pensioners

Theresa May: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number and percentage of  (a) pensioners and  (b) pensioner households that have paid income tax in each year since 1997.

Stephen Timms: Estimates for the number of pensioner taxpayers are shown in table 2.1 Number of individual income taxpayers, available at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_tax/menu.htm
	The information is based on the Survey of Personal Incomes of which 2006-07 is the latest available, and projected in line with Budget 2009 assumptions.
	The estimated percentage of pensioners who are taxpayers can be calculated by using table 2.1 Number of individual income taxpayers and the latest population estimates and projections published on the Office for National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/NPP2008/wUK085y.xls
	Estimates for the number of pensioner households that paid income tax since 1997 is not available. However, an estimated 3.6 million (56 per cent.) households headed by a person of state pension age will pay income tax in 2009-10. This estimate excludes pensioners who live in households not headed by a person of state pension age, or in households with other family units.
	This estimate has been calculated using HM Treasury's tax and benefit micro-simulation model using Family Resources Survey 2007-08 data uprated to 2009-10 levels of prices and earnings.

Inheritance Tax: Housing

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the gross increase in cash terms in revenue from inheritance tax was consequent on the adjustment of inheritance tax valuations following a challenge by the Valuation Office Agency in the latest year for which figures are available.

Stephen Timms: The gross increase in cash terms in revenue from inheritance tax as a result of challenges by the Valuation Office Agency for 2008-09 amounts to approximately £96 million.

National Insurance Contributions: Local Government

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate has been made of the cost of the proposed increases to national insurance contributions for employers to local government employers in 2010-11.

Stephen Timms: There are no proposed increases to employer national insurance contributions in 2010-11. Employer contributions are set to increase by 1 per cent. to 13.8 per cent. in 2011-12.
	Information on the cost of the proposed change to local Government employers is not readily available.

Non-Domestic Rates: Church Halls

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Valuation Office Agency undertakes valuations of church halls hired out for social events unconnected with religious worship; and whether premises thus used are liable for business rates.

Ian Pearson: As stated in the Local Government Finance Act 1988, if Church halls, chapel halls and similar buildings are used in connection with a place of public religious worship and for the purposes of the organisation responsible for the conduct of public religious worship, they are, like the church or place of public religious worship, exempt from business rates. This exemption usually extends to where they are hired out for social events.

Non-Domestic Rates: Ports

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason the Valuation Office Agency  (a) has removed all waterfront hereditaments in ports in Hull from the new business rates rating assessment regime and restored them to the competent harbour authorities assessment regime and  (b) has not taken a similar approach in other ports.

Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 12 November 2009,  Official Report, column 877W.
	The reason that some separately assessed property within the port of Hull has been merged with the assessment for the statutory port is that new information has been provided and there has been agreement of the facts between the parties. This reflects the success of the fast-track appeals process applied by the Valuation Office Agency to cases involving a significant and unexpected backdated liability. Where ratepayers co-operate and provide the information requested, the agency has been able to review the rating lists and make amendments to reflect new information that has a material affect on the assessment.
	The same approach has been applied at other ports. Where changes have not been made and properties continue to be separately assessed for business rates this is either because the facts do not support the case for change or the parties have not agreed the facts that may still prove material.

Non-Domestic Rates: Ports

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the appeals against decisions relating to the new business rates arrangements for ports businesses  (a) have and  (b) have not resulted in a reduction in rateable values.

Ian Pearson: Following the review of ports by the Valuation Office Agency-which was undertaken to ensure that all individual business properties within and outside ports are rated fairly to ensure that the burden of contributions to funding local government is shared fairly among businesses around the country-a total of 232 appeals on properties within ports in England had been settled at 16 December 2009. Of these, 70 were resolved by a reduction in rateable value and 162 were resolved without a reduction in rateable value.

Offenders

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employees of his Department and its agencies have been convicted of a criminal offence of each type in each year since 1997.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It is the policy of HM Treasury and OGC not to release data concerning fewer than five staff where to do so could lead to the identification of protected personal information about individual members of staff. Since 1999, I can confirm that the information requested relates to fewer than five cases. Information for earlier years could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Under the Data Protection Act 1998, DMO would not record this information. Any supporting documentation is destroyed after six months due to the Data Protection Act.

Peers: Domicile

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information HM Revenue and Customs holds on the number of Members of the House of Lords who are non-domiciled for tax purposes; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: If an individual completes a Self Assessment Tax Return, they need only tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) their domicile status should they have foreign income and/or gains and want to claim the remittance basis of taxation. It is for the individual to decide whether they want to claim the remittance basis.
	Therefore, individual tax returns for individual Members of the House of Lords will show whether or not they have claimed the remittance basis of taxation based on a non-domiciled status.
	HMRC does not collate or aggregate this information for Members of the Lords as a group, as the Members' records are dealt with by several different operational units.

Pre-Budget Report 2009

David Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the statement of 9 December 2009,  Official Report, columns 359-71, on the pre-Budget report, when he intends to implement each of the initiatives announced; what the estimated cost of each such initiative is; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Member to the 2009 pre-Budget report (Cm 7747) for detailed information on all of the initiatives announced, and their estimated Exchequer cost.

Public Expenditure

Dai Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the pre-Budget report of 9 December 2009,  Official Report, columns 359-71, what effect the  (a) cap on public sector pay and  (b) increase in national insurance contributions will have on expenditure on (i) the national health service, (ii) the police force and (iii) schools.

Liam Byrne: In the pre-Budget report 2009 the Government once again recognised that public sector workers are at the heart of delivering world-class public services and supporting long-term economic growth, prosperity and fairness and highlighted that, following substantial investment in public sector pay since 1997, pay restraint will be important to support front-line delivery while ensuring sustainable public finances over the medium term.
	The 1 per cent. pay cap will generate £3.4 billion of departmental savings by 2012-13, helping to protect front-line service delivery and jobs in the coming years. A modest proportion of the revenue raised from the increase in national insurance contributions announced at PBR to help protect front-line public services will come from public sector employers. The PBR identified almost £17 billion of efficiency savings gained from Smarter Government and the Public Value Programme that will enable improvements in public services to be sustained.

Public Sector Relocation Independent Review

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer of 20 October 2009,  Official Report, column 1401W, on public sector relocation: independent review, if he will place in the Library a copy of the database for council tax revaluation modelling that was provided to the Lyons Inquiry into local government finance redacting sensitive personal data.

Ian Pearson: No single database for council tax revaluation modelling exists. A number of datasets were provided to the Lyons review team during the period of their review. These datasets contain property attribute and sales data at individual property level, which, for the protection of individual taxpayers, cannot be released into the public domain.

Revenue and Customs

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average cost to a customer was of  (a) a call to the Tax Credits Helpline,  (b) a call to the Child Benefit Helpline and  (c) a personal visit to an HM Revenue and Customs inquiry centre in the latest period for which figures are available.

Stephen Timms: The information is not available. Calls are charged to the customer based on the tariff arrangements they have with their service provider, the device they use to call and the location from which they call. The cost to the customer of visiting an enquiry centre is dependent on several factors including their personal travel costs, which the Department does not have access to.

Revenue and Customs: Cost-effectiveness

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Office of Government Commerce Gateway reviews HM Revenue and Customs has performed since 2006; what the title of each such review is; and at which gate each such review is.

Stephen Timms: The following table gives details of the 71 OGC Gateway reviews undertaken or planned for HM Revenue and Customs programmes and projects for the four years 2006-07 to 2009-10. It includes the title of each programme or project and the specific Gateway review number.
	
		
			  Programme/project title  Gate No.( 1) 
			  2006-07  
			 Estates and Support Services Transformation Programme 0 
			 ASPIRE ('Acquiring Strategic IT Partners for the Inland Revenue') 5 
			 Processing Pacesetter Programme 0 
			 Replacement Radio Project 2 
			 STRIDE (IT equipment refresh project) 4a 
			 New Tax Credits 5 
			 Estates Consolidation Programme 0 
			 Efficiency Programme 0b 
			 HMRC Banking Change Project 2 
			 Pensions Simplification 4 
			 Construction Industry Scheme Reform Project 4 
			 Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight ('CHIEF') replacement project 2 
			 Total reviews (2006-07)-12  
			   
			  2007-08  
			 Modernising Stamp Duty 5 
			 Carter (online services) Programme 0 
			 Estates Transformation Programme 0a 
			 Estates Consolidation Programme 0a 
			 Processing Pacesetter Programme 0a 
			 Enterprise Infrastructure Foundation Programme 0 
			 Customs Service Transformation Programme 0 
			 Government Banking Programme 0 
			 Health in Pregnancy Grant Project 1 
			 Government Banking Procurement Project 3 
			 New Penalties Project (1) 2 
			 National Direct Debits 2 
			 Total reviews (2007-08)-12  
			   
			  2008-09  
			 Compliance and Enforcement Programme 0 
			 Excise Movement and Control System 0 
			 Consolidation of Inward Cheques and Forms 4 
			 Health in Pregnancy Grant Project 2/3 
			 Carter (online services) Programme 0a 
			 Aviation Duty Project 1/2 
			 National Direct Debits Project 4 
			 Carter (online services) Corporation Tax Project 1/2 
			 Carter (online services) VAT Project 1/2 
			 Business.Gov Programme 0 
			 Tax Credits Transformation Programme 0 
			 Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight ('CHIEF') replacement project 3 
			 MPPC3 (PAYE modernisation) Programme 0 
			 New Penalties Project (1) 3 
			 Savings Gateway Project 1 
			 Compliance and Enforcement Caseflow Project 2 
			 Government Banking Change Project 4 
			 World Class Programme 0 
			 Estates Transformation Programme 0b 
			 Data Centre Sub-Programme 0 
			 Quantum (delivery of IT services) Programme 0 
			 Compliance and Enforcement Caseflow Project 4 
			 Health in Pregnancy Grant Project 4 
			 Data Security Programme 0 
			 Carter (online services) VAT Project 3 
			 Carter (online services) Corporation Tax Project 3 
			 Total reviews (2008-09)-26  
			   
			  2009-10  
			 New Penalties Project (1) 4 
			 Business.Gov Programme 0a 
			 Compliance and Enforcement Programme 0a 
			 Better Data for CT Project 5 
			 Government Banking Change Project 4a 
			 Excise Movement and Control System 3 
			 EU VAT Refunds Project 2 
			 Estates Consolidation Programme 0b 
			 EU VAT Refunds Project 3 
			 New Penalties Project (2) 1 
			 Customs Service Transformation Programme 0a 
			 Government Banking Programme 0a 
			 Saving Gateway Project (planned) 2 
			 Carter (online services) Corporation Tax Project 4 
			 Carter (online services) VAT Project 4 
			 Validating Household Income for Student Loans Company Project (planned) 4 
			 Government Banking Transition Project (planned) 4a 
			 Saving Gateway Project (planned) 3 
			 New Penalties Project (2) (planned) 3 
			 Filing, Payment and Interest Programme (planned) 0 
			 Compliance and Enforcement Caseflow Project 4a 
			 Total reviews (2009-10)-21  
			 Total reviews (all years)-71  
			 (1) Gateway review stages are: 0 ('Strategic Assessment'-programmes only); 1 ('Business Justification'); 2 ('Delivery Strategy');  3 ('Investment Decision'); 4 ('Readiness for Service' and 'Operations Review and Benefits Realisation'). Gate numbers with an 'a' or 'b' suffix represent repeat reviews at that level.

Revenue and Customs: Data

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for how long HM Revenue and Customs retains  (a) copies of and  (b) data contained in tax returns; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: HM Revenue and Customs has recently modified its retention policy and is working towards a position where it will normally retain tax returns and the data they contain plus related correspondence for six years in addition to the current year. Information will be retained for longer periods where necessary, for example where there is a continuing investigation into possible fraudulent or criminal activity.

Revenue and Customs: Northern Ireland

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the staff at each grade in HM Revenue and Customs in Northern Ireland is from each religious background.

Stephen Timms: The information requested on the community background of HM Revenue and Customs in post as of 1 December 2009 is provided in the following table.
	
		
			   Protestant  Roman Catholic  Non-determined 
			  Grade  Number  Percentage of grade  Number  Percentage of grade  Number  Percentage of grade 
			 SCS,(1) Grade 6, Grade 7, Band T 36 52.2 23 33.3 10 14.5 
			 Senior Officer 39 45.4 40 46.5 7 8.1 
			 Higher Officer 128 50.4 108 42.5 18 7.1 
			 Officer 229 38.8 327 55.3 35 5.9 
			 Assistant Officer 373 39.5 496 52.5 75 7.9 
			 Admin Assistant 80 42.6 90 47.9 18 7.7 
			 Total 885 41.5 1,084 50.8 163 7.7 
			 (1) HMRC's policy is to not release figures on diversity or community background where there is any risk of individuals being identified. There are very small numbers in four of the grades above and therefore the figures for these four grades have been amalgamated in line with this policy.

Revenue and Customs: Northern Ireland

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many complaints of harassment based on a person's  (a) race,  (b) gender and  (c) religion were made against officers of HM Revenue and Customs in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many officers of HM Revenue and Customs in Northern Ireland have been the subject of more than one complaint of harassment on the grounds of religion in the last five years.

Stephen Timms: Based on centrally held records, no complaints of harassment against officers of HM Revenue and Customs in Northern Ireland have been made based on a person's race, gender or religion made since January 2007.
	Information for earlier periods is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Revenue and Customs: Surveillance

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many authorisations under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 have been  (a) made and  (b) refused by the authorising officer in HM Revenue and Customs in each year since the Act came into force.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is provided in the following table since the formation of HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC) in April 2005.
	
		
			   Applications under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 
			   Made  Refused 
			 2005 6480 109 
			 2006 3201 105 
			 2007 3828 85 
			 2008 5364 83 
			 2009 5633 141 
		
	
	The statistics include applications made for assigned matters such as drug and arms smuggling that have now been transferred to either the Serious Organised Crime Agency or the UK Borders Agency.
	No central records exist for applications made in the former HM Customs and Excise and Inland Revenue prior to their merger in 2005; collating this information could be done only at disproportionate cost.

Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many callbacks were offered to callers to  (a) the Tax Credits public helpline,  (b) the Tax Credits intermediaries helpline,  (c) the MPs Tax Credits helpline,  (d) the Child Benefit public helpline and  (e) all other HM Revenue and Customs helplines in (i) 2005-06, (ii) 2006-07, (iii) 2007-08 and (iv) 2008-09.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is not available, as HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC) systems do not capture the number of callbacks offered.
	HMRC will shortly begin a six-month review of its numbering strategy, including the feasibility of offering callbacks to customers more readily.

Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what steps the Tax Credits Helpline is taking to ensure compliance with item 9 of the HM Revenue and Customs charter, on mobile telephone users;
	(2)  what steps the Child Benefit Helpline is taking to ensure compliance with item 9 of the HM Revenue and Customs charter, on mobile telephone users.

Stephen Timms: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are committed to keeping the costs of dealing with them as low as possible while improving the service they provide to their customers. In recent months, HMRC Contact Centre have introduced a range of automated advisory messages to its helplines, which mean that many customers have their query answered quickly without having to wait to speak to an advisor.
	HMRC Contact Centres will shortly begin an in- depth review of its numbering strategy for a period of six months looking at what can be done in both the short and long term. This review will include the feasibility of offering call backs to customers telephoning from mobile phones. HMRC Contact Centres recognise that this will not be straightforward as it will need to balance the cost to the Department and the likely impact on service levels against the costs to the customer.

Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many times a caller had to wait on hold before speaking to an operator on  (a) the Tax Credits public helpline,  (b) the Tax Credits intermediaries helpline,  (c) the MPs Tax Credits helpline,  (d) the Child Benefit public helpline and  (e) all other HM Revenue and Customs helplines in (i) 2005-06, (ii) 2006-07, (iii) 2007-08 and (iv) 2008-09.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is not available, as HM Revenue and Customs' systems are unable to track the progress of an individual caller through their telephone call.

Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average length of calls made to  (a) the Tax Credits public helpline,  (b) the Tax Credits intermediaries helpline,  (c) the MPs Tax Credits helpline,  (d) the Child Benefit public helpline and  (e) all other HM Revenue and Customs helplines was in (i) 2005-06, (ii) 2006-07, (iii) 2007-08 and (iv) 2008-09.

Stephen Timms: The information requested, as far is it is available, is provided in the following table.
	
		
			  HMRC average call handling times shown in minutes and seconds 
			   (a) Tax credits  (b) Intermediaries  (c) MP hotline  (d) Child benefit  (e) All other helplines 
			 2005-06 06:12 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 2006-07 05:26 n/a 05:39 03:56 05:30 
			 2007-08 05:47 06:31 n/a 04:03 05:25 
			 2008-09 06:34 05:50 05:33 05:21 05:37 
			 n/a = Not available.  Note: HMRC Contact Centres take the average call handling time to be the time spent by the customer on the phone together with any additional time taken by the adviser after the call to complete any tasks.

Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many calls were made from a  (a) landline telephone and  (b) mobile telephone to (i) The tax Credits public helpline, (ii) the Tax Credits intermediaries helpline, (iii) the MPs Tax Credits helpline, (iv) the Child Benefit public helpline and (v) all other HM Revenue and Customs helplines in (A) 2005-06, (B) 2006-07, (C) 2007-08 and (d) 2008-09.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is not available, as HM Revenue and Customs' systems do not capture this information.

Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what average length of time individual callers to  (a) the Tax Credit helpline and  (b) the Child Benefit helpline were kept on hold in (i) 2005-06, (ii) 2006-07, (iii) 2007-08 and (iv) 2008-09; and for what average length of time callers to the tax credit helpline were kept on hold in the month before the deadline for renewal of credits in each of those years.

Stephen Timms: The available information is presented in the following tables.
	
		
			  Average in seconds 
			   Child benefit helpline  Tax credit helplin e 
			 2005-06 n/a n/a 
			 2006-07 15 20 
			 2007-08 15 23 
			 2008-09 14 29 
			 2009-10 (April to November) 13 23 
			 n/a = Not available 
		
	
	
		
			  Tax credit helpline  Average in seconds 
			 August 2005 n/a 
			 July 2006 21 
			 July 2007 19 
			 July 2008 25 
			 July 2009 21 
			 n/a = Not available 
		
	
	For the purposes of this question, HM Revenue and Customs has interpreted the average length of time individual callers were kept on hold as the time customers are on hold during a discussion with an adviser.

Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of callers to the Tax Credits helpline who rang to say they were returning to work after more than 20 weeks in receipt of incapacity benefit or employment support allowance or statutory sick pay and who were not returning to work full-time were informed abut the disability element of tax credits in  (a) 2005-06,  (b) 2006-07,  (c) 2007-08 and  (d) 2008-09.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is not available as HM Revenue and Customs' systems do not capture this information.

Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer of 11 June 2009,  Official Report, column 983W, on Welfare Tax credits: telephone services, what recent steps his Department has taken to review its numbering strategy; and what such steps it plans to take in the next 12 months.

Stephen Timms: HM Revenue and Customs is committed to keeping the customer costs of dealing with the Department as low as possible. It regularly reviews how it can improve its services to achieve this objective. It has in recent months, for example, introduced a range of automated advisory messages on its tax credits and Child Benefit helplines which mean that many customers have their query answered at lower cost, since they no longer have to wait to speak to an advisor. The Department will be reviewing its numbering strategy early in the new year.

Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what meetings Ministers and officials in his Department have had regarding the cost of calling HM Revenue and Customs helplines from mobile telephones; what the outcome of those meetings was; and whether he plans to hold any such meetings in the next six months.

Stephen Timms: Departmental officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will shortly begin a review of its telephone numbering strategy including examining the feasibility of offering call backs to customers telephoning from mobile phones. HMRC will consult with interested parties and stakeholders as part of this review.

Tax Avoidance

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what investigations HM Revenue and Customs has carried out in the last 12 months into those companies which have relocated their headquarters overseas to minimise their tax burden; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: HM Revenue and Customs may investigate where there is doubt as to whether a purported relocation is genuine. No details are available centrally as to the number of cases of this type that have been investigated and such details could be collated only at disproportionate lost.

Tax Avoidance

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the Exchequer of tax avoidance through employee benefit trusts in the latest period for which figures are available.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is not available, as HM Revenue and Customs does not record the amounts contributed to employee benefit trusts.
	Protecting Tax Revenues 2009, published alongside the 2009 pre-Budget report and available at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/pbr2009/protect-tax-revenue-5450.pdf
	provides an illustrative breakdown of the tax gap in 2007-08 by behaviour. Figures for 2008-09 are not available.

Tax Evasion

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the monetary value of tax evaded in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: Protecting Tax Revenues 2009, published alongside the 2009 pre-Budget report and available at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/pbr2009/protect-tax-revenue-5450.pdf
	provides an illustrative breakdown of the tax gap in 2007-08 by behaviour. Figures for 2008-09 are not available.

Taxation: Empty Property

Paul Keetch: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment has been made of the merits of reducing taxes on landlords of empty premises to encourage more tenants to rent those premises; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Government believe that the reform of empty property relief in April 2008, in response to recommendations in the Lyons Inquiry and Barker Review of Land Use Planning, is the right decision for the long term.

Taxation: Gaming Machines

Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what representations he has received on the taxation of category B3A gaming machines in the last 12 months;
	(2)  whether he has had recent meetings with HM Revenue and Customs on the taxation of category B3A gaming machines.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Treasury Ministers and officials meet with, and receive representations from, a wide range of organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors as part of the usual policymaking process. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such representations.

Taxation: Nottingham

Graham Allen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people in Nottingham North constituency the amount of whose tax obligations has been reduced in 2009-10.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is not available at parliamentary constituency level due to small survey sample sizes at this level of geography. In addition, the information available is based on 2006-07 survey data which would not be reliable for this purpose.
	Available information on incomes by parliamentary constituency based on the latest available Survey of Personal Incomes (2006-07) can be found in Table 3.15 Income and tax by Parliamentary Constituency available at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu.htm

Transfer Pricing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much tax revenue was collected by HM Revenue and Customs through investigations into transfer pricing in each year since 2003.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Jim Cousins) on 10 November 2008,  Official Report, column 938W. The yield for transfer pricing inquires on large business for 2007-08 and 2008-09 was £494 million and £1,564 million respectively. The yield from smaller businesses for the same periods was £25 million and £31 million respectively.

Valuation Office Agency

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 30 June 2009,  Official Report, column 210W, on the valuation office, for what reasons the minutes of the  (a) electronic capture of hard copy records project board and  (b) installation of a geographical information system project board are commercially sensitive.

Ian Pearson: The minutes contain information relating to contract costs which are commercially sensitive and cannot therefore be published.

Valuation Office Agency: Freedom of Information

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what timetable has been set for the Valuation Office Agency to make a substantive response to the internal review of Freedom of Information request 11335561.1/CEO, submitted to the Valuation Office Agency in November 2007.

Ian Pearson: The Valuation Office Agency's internal review has been completed. The substantive response was issued on 17 December 2009.

Valuation Office Agency: Geographical Information Systems

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Valuation Office Agency's new geographic information system will be linked to its electronic document and records management database.

Ian Pearson: There are no current plans to link the VOA's geographic information system to its electronic document and records management system.

Valuation Office Agency: Geographical Information Systems

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what dates the Valuation Office Agency's Geographical Information System Project Board has met since its establishment.

Ian Pearson: The dates of the Valuation Office Agency's Geographical Information System Project Board were provided on 22 April 2009,  Official Report, columns 1049-50W, to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman).
	Since then the Project Board has met on the following dates:
	22 April 2009
	16 June 2009
	28 July 2009
	10 September 2009
	13 October 2009
	17 November 2009

Valuation Office Agency: Local Government

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what mechanism data from building commencement and building control notices are sent to the Valuation Office Agency by local authorities.

Ian Pearson: Not all local authorities provide building control notices. Those that do provide building control commencement lists and/or building control completion notices in hardcopy or via e-mail.

Valuation Office Agency: Pay

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 30 June 2009,  Official Report, column 210W, on the Valuation Office Agency: pay, for what specific examples of commendable performance recognition vouchers have been awarded in the last 12 months.

Ian Pearson: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Valuation Office Agency: Rightmove

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the timetable is for the awarding of HM Revenue and Customs with contract notice reference 2009/S 200-288191 on providing residential property data for the Valuation Office Agency; what estimate he has made of the monetary value of the contract to HM Revenue and Customs over its lifetime; and whether this contract replaces the existing contract held by Rightmove.co.uk.

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans the Valuation Office Agency has for the future of its licence with Rightmove.co.uk in relation to council tax valuations.

Ian Pearson: Any contract(s) awarded in accordance with this notice will replace the now expired Rightmove contract. The estimated value of the contract(s) is between £1 million and £2 million, as shown in the notice. Any contract is likely to be awarded in March 2010, and commence in June 2010.

Valuation Office Agency: Training

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 15 June 2009,  Official Report, column 55W, on the Valuation Office Agency: training, from which division of the Valuation Office Agency the staff came who attended the training on  (a) assertiveness by the Impact Factory,  (b) staff inspection techniques by the National School of Government and  (c) the greenhouse and reporting on health and safety risks in homes by Contract Property Training Limited; and if he will place in the Library a copy of each document provided to staff who attended each training course.

Ian Pearson: The attendees on the three training courses were as follows:
	 (a) a member of staff from the London North Group.
	 (b) a member of the Finance Team.
	 (c) a member of the National Assets and Building Surveyors' Team.
	The copyright for the training materials is owned by the organisations that provided the training therefore the Valuation Office Agency is unable to provide copies of the documents supplied to members of staff who attended these courses.

VAT: Local Government

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much HM Revenue and Customs paid in refunds of value added tax to each local authority in  (a) 2007-08 and  (b) 2008-09; and for what reasons such refunds were made.

Stephen Timms: Section 18 of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 prevents HM Revenue and Customs from disclosing information relating to the tax affairs of individual taxpayers; this includes public bodies.

Welfare Tax Credits

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research has been undertaken into the number of tax credits claimants who do not renew their claim or subsequently reclaim and who would still be entitled to receive tax credits; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: If a family does not renew their tax credit award, by confirming or updating their circumstances, it is not possible to determine whether they are still entitled. Therefore reliable estimates of the number of claimants who would still be entitled to receive tax credits are not available.
	HM Revenue and Customs has published research which explores claimants' understanding of the tax credits renewal process. The report is available at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/research/report-52-final.pdf

Welfare Tax Credits

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many requests have been made to expedite individuals' tax credits claims  (a) by (i) local authorities, (ii) voluntary agencies, (iii) Jobcentre Plus offices, (iv) hospitals, (v) hon. Members, (vi) local councillors and (vii) claimants and  (b) in total in (A) 2005-06, (B) 2006-07, (C) 2007-08 and (D) 2008-09.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is not available as HM Revenue and Customs' systems do not capture the number of requests to expedite individuals' tax credits claims.

Welfare Tax Credits

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the  (a) average and  (b) highest number of tax credits award notices sent to a unique claimant was in the course of (i) one year and (ii) one month in (A) 2005-06, (B) 2006-07, (C) 2007-08 and (D) 2008-09.

Stephen Timms: Award notices are issued at the following points in the tax credits cycle:
	An initial award notice, following a successful claim.
	An amended award notice when a claimant notifies HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of a change of circumstances or income during a year.
	A finalised award notice following the completion of the renewal process.
	Where payments are continuing following a finalised award for one year, an award notice is issued to advise of the provisional payments HMRC will be making for the subsequent year.
	Each adult involved in a tax credits claim received an average of between two and three award notices in each of the specified income tax years. This average is derived by dividing the total number of award notices issued each year by a snapshot of the number of adult claimants as in April 2006; April 2007; April 2008 and April 2009.
	For information on the number of tax credits award notices issued in 2005-06 and 2006-07 I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (Danny Alexander) on 2 April 2008,  Official Report, column 973W. A total of around 29.9 million award notices were issued in 2007-08 and around 33.2 million award notices were issued in 2008-09.
	Information on the highest number of tax credits award notices sent to a unique claimant is only available at disproportionate cost.

Welfare Tax Credits

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax credit applications are being processed for  (a) UK nationals,  (b) non-UK EEA nationals,  (c) A8 EEA nationals,  (d) A2 EEA nationals and  (e) non-European nationals.

Stephen Timms: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) use rapid data capture (RDC) techniques for scanning tax credits claims electronically and capturing the details supplied on the claim on the tax credits computer system. Further information about RDC is published on the HMRC website at:
	www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/ntcmanual/rdc/ntc1101100.htm
	All claims are subject to a range of automated checks. Tax credits entitlement is calculated automatically if all checks are passed. HMRC often need to make more detailed inquiries into incomplete claims or those that fail risk checks. HMRC may be unable to process and pay those claims within the usual target times.
	HMRC also seek additional information from claimants from other EEA member states, A2 and A8 nationals to verify that eligibility criteria for tax credits are met.

Welfare Tax Credits

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average length of time was between the receipt of an application to his Department for tax credit and the issue of a receipt for the application in  (a) 2005-06,  (b) 2006-07,  (c) 2007-08 and  (d) 2008-09; and what the average length of time was in respect of applicants in the (i) upper and (ii) lower quartiles in each such year.

Stephen Timms: The information is not available, as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not issue receipts for tax credits claims.
	For information about HMRC targets and performance outturn in relation to tax credits in 2008-09 and earlier years, I refer the right hon. Member to my recent answer to him on 5 January 2010,  Official Report, column 179W.
	In 2009-10 HMRC aims to clear 60 per cent. of new claims in 15 calendar days.

Welfare Tax Credits: Overpayments

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of  (a) the number and  (b) the amount of tax credits overpayments caused by the failure of a claimant to notify the Tax Credits Office of a change of circumstances in (i) 2005-06, (ii) 2006-07, (iii) 2007-08 and (iv) 2008-09.

Stephen Timms: The information is not available, as HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC) systems do not record why an overpayment has been made.
	However, information on the number of families with tax credits awards, including information on overpayments at UK level can be found in the HMRC publications, Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics. Finalised Annual Awards. Supplement on Payments, available at:
	www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-quarterly-stats.htm

JUSTICE

Bail Accommodation and Support Service

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what plans he has to review the bail accommodation contract with ClearSprings;
	(2)  how many complaints have been received about ClearSprings from  (a) the public,  (b) probation services and  (c) local authorities since June 2007.

Maria Eagle: My right hon. Friend, the then Minister of State for Justice (David Hanson), made a written statement to the House on 13 May 2009,  Official Report, column 54WS, announcing that the Government intend to re-tender the contract for Bail Accommodation and Support Service (BASS) on the expiry of the current contract on 17 June 2010. A new contract is scheduled to be awarded at the beginning of February 2010.
	I am unable to provide information about the number of complaints about ClearSprings as this could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Ministry of Justice has received a substantial volume of correspondence about the BASS and it would require checking each item of correspondence separately at both local and national level to determine whether it was a complaint.

Channel Islands: Electricity

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice from what energy sources  (a) Jersey and  (b) Guernsey's electricity demands were met in (i) 2008 and (ii) 2009.

Michael Wills: Jersey and Guernsey are self-governing dependencies of the Crown and have their own directly elected legislative assemblies, administrative, fiscal and legal systems. The Ministry of Justice does not keep information on the amount of electricity consumed in the Crown Dependencies or the sources from which it was produced.

Criminal Proceedings: Autism

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which Minister in his Department is responsible for policy to implement proposals in the autism strategy on improving the accessibility of the criminal justice system; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Ward: The Ministry of Justice will support the implementation of the planned autism strategy, currently being developed by the Department of Health, in the context of the Health and Criminal Justice Delivery Plan. This plan was published on 17 November 2009, and sets out cross departmental action to improve access to health services by offenders and to support staff in prisons, probation and the police through training. The Delivery Plan is available at:
	http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationspolicyAndGuidance/DH_108606

Crown Dependencies: National Income

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the gross domestic product per capita is for each of the British Crown Dependencies.

Michael Wills: Information on the gross domestic product and the population sizes of the Crown Dependencies is publicly available on their respective Government websites:
	 Jersey (it should be noted that Jersey measures gross value added, not gross domestic product):
	http://www.gov.je/ChiefMinister/International+Relations/Profile+of+Jersey.htm
	 Guernsey:
	http://www.gov.gg/ccm/navigation/about-guernsey/economy/
	 Isle of Man:
	http://www.gov.im/treasury/economic/data/income.xml

Crown Dependencies: Prisons

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many offenders currently being held in prisons in each of the Crown Dependencies are serving sentences for drug-related offences.

Michael Wills: Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man are not part of the UK; they are self-governing dependencies of the Crown and have their own directly elected legislative assemblies, administrative, fiscal and legal systems.
	The prisons in the Crown Dependencies are the responsibility of the Crown Dependency Governments and not of the Ministry of Justice. Accordingly the Ministry of Justice does not hold the information sought.

Crown Dependencies: Prisons

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he has plans to expand prison capacity in the Crown Dependencies.

Michael Wills: Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man are not part of the UK; they are self-governing dependencies of the Crown and have their own directly elected legislative assemblies, administrative, fiscal and legal systems.
	Prisons and prison capacity in the Crown Dependencies are the responsibility of the Crown Dependency Governments and not of the Ministry of Justice.

Crown Dependencies: Prisons

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assistance his Department has provided to rehabilitation programmes for drug addicts serving prison sentences in each of the Crown Dependencies in the last 10 years.

Michael Wills: This Department has provided no assistance to rehabilitation programmes for drug addicts serving prison sentences in the Crown Dependencies during the last 10 years. Prisons in the Crown Dependencies are the responsibility of the relevant Island administrations, not the Ministry of Justice.

Dartmoor Prison: Ex-servicemen

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the outcome was of the 2007 scoping study of the number of armed forces veterans who were serving a sentence in HMP Dartmoor.

Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) had no oversight of this research at the time it was conducted and have no records of the outcomes of this research. From our communication with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) it appears that the research was conducted by a worker in HMP Dartmoor but on an ad-hoc basis and with no official or central oversight by either MOJ or MOD. Preliminary results which found that 32 of the 191 prisoners (16.75 per cent.) were veterans, were presented at a meeting of the Veterans Prison In-Reach Working Group (VPIR), a group sponsored by the MOD. It is likely that the result was skewed because the wings were largely comprised of older prisoners which meant that they were more likely than other prisoners to have served in the armed forces at some time (including under national service).

Debt Collection

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 15 July 2009,  Official Report, column 435W, on debt collection, what representations  (a) his Department and  (b) HM Courts Service have received on collecting debts through credit card payment.

Bridget Prentice: In considering the extension of credit and debit card facilities to remaining regions within HMCS the opinions of various groups within the debt industry (eg the Citizens Advice Bureau) were sought.
	Those consulted expressed some concern that accepting credit card payments for a debt, particularly one which may have arisen from a consumer credit debt, may exacerbate a debtor's difficulties. However, it was widely recognised that the introduction of credit and debit card facilities would be welcomed among the large majority of responsible court users where a debt has arisen from a genuine dispute for a small claim and that not providing these facilities would be denying those debtors a very convenient way to pay their debt.
	All courts who have introduced credit and debit card facilities have found them to be extremely useful, allowing them to operate more efficiently. There is high demand from other courts, based on customer feedback, to introduce the facilities on a wider basis.

Debt Collection

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 15 July 2009,  Official Report, column 435W, on debt collection, what the timetable is for completion of the evaluation of the scheme of taking debt payments by debit and credit card.

Bridget Prentice: The national roll out of credit and debit card facilities is currently under consideration. The timetable for the introduction of these facilities has not yet been finalised.

Debt Collection

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the answer of 15 July 2009,  Official Report, column 435W, on debt collection, if he will place in the Library a copy of the evaluation report by HM Courts Service on accepting credit card payments.

Bridget Prentice: The national roll out of credit and debit card facilities is currently under consideration. The timetable for the introduction of these facilities has not yet been finalised. The evaluation report will be published during the spring.

Departmental Publicity

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department has spent on  (a) Ministerial photoshoots and  (b) production of videos in which Ministers appear in the last three years for which figures are available.

Michael Wills: The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has used external photographers on three occasions between its launch in May 2007 and August 2009, at a total cost of £2,197.04. These were for use as corporate images following reshuffles or machinery of Government changes, and portraits were taken of senior MOJ officials as well as the ministerial team. Since August 2009, the Ministry of Justice has had the capability to provide corporate photography in-house at no cost.
	MOJ Communications Directorate has in-house video recording facilities and uses these, at no cost, when filming ministers for both internal purposes and for the Ministry's You Tube channel. Information on the filming of our ministers for other purposes is not held centrally, and to obtain that information would incur disproportionate cost.

Driving Offences: Disqualification

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the merits of making driving whilst disqualified an offence triable either way.

Claire Ward: We have not considered making the offence of driving while disqualified triable either way.

Driving Under Influence: Gloucestershire

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many and what proportion of drivers convicted of offences of driving when under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Gloucestershire were  (a) first-time offenders and  (b) had two or more convictions in each year since 1999.

Claire Ward: The figures requested are in the following table and cover a range of offences related to driving under the influence of drink or drugs and failing to provide a specimen. The table shows the number of offenders with previous convictions for any of these offences. Figures for 1999 are not available.
	These figures have been drawn from the police's administrative IT system, the police national computer (PNC), which, as with any large scale recording system, is subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. The figures are provisional and subject to change as more information is recorded by the police.
	
		
			  Number of drivers convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Gloucestershire, 2000-08 
			   Number of drivers convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs  Number of drivers convicted for the first time of driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs  Number of drivers with at least one previous conviction for this offence  Percentage of drivers convicted for the first time  Percentage of drivers with at least one previous conviction 
			 2000 793 652 141 82.2 17.8 
			 2001 862 712 150 82.6 17.4 
			 2002 927 722 205 77.9 22.1 
			 2003 897 720 177 80.3 19.7 
			 2004 939 718 221 76.5 23.5 
			 2005 816 633 183 77.6 22.4 
			 2006 831 634 197 763 23.7 
			 2007 828 624 204 75.4 24.6 
			 2008 797 615 182 77.2 22.8 
			 (1) The data includes a range of offences under the Road Traffic Act. They can be found in sections 4(1), 5(1) (a), 7(6), 4(2), 5(1) (b), 6(4) and 7A as amended by the Police Reform Act 2002 and the Transport and Works Act 2002.

Elections

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will undertake an impact assessment in respect of the implementation of proposals to conduct the counting of all votes in the general election on the day after polling.

Michael Wills: The decision as to the timing of the count at an election is for the relevant returning officer. Under section 5 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, the Electoral Commission is required to produce a report on the administration of each general election in the UK. The Government will study the commission's report carefully and respond to any issues that emerge. The Government have no plans to undertake any separate assessment in respect of the conduct of counts at the next UK parliamentary general election.

Gender Identity Disorder: Prisoners

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 8 December 2009,  Official Report, columns 283-4W, on gender identity disorder: prisoners, if he will review the non-health aspects of the draft Prison Service Order on gender dysphoria; and what guidance is available to prisons and to prisoners on the treatment of prisoners with gender dysphoria.

Maria Eagle: As indicated in my hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Health's (Phil Hope) answer on 8 December 2009,  Official Report, columns 283-84W, on receipt of further advice from colleagues in Offender Health, Ministry of Justice officials will be able to finalise the guidance on the non-health issues within the draft Prison Service Order (PSO) which impacts on the operational aspects of the PSO. While there is currently no formal guidance document available to prisons or to prisoners on the treatment of prisoners with gender dysphoria, the draft guidance is available and policy leads within the Ministry of Justice are in a position to give advice and support when necessary.

Housing: Valuation

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many properties in England had a capital value of over £2 million according to records held by the Land Registry on the latest date for which information is available.

Michael Wills: Land Registry does not hold records of the total number of properties (commercial and/or residential) in England with a current capital value of over £2 million.
	However, Land Registry holds price paid data for the total number of registered residential properties which have been sold at full value during defined periods. This question has been answered using the data available, providing details of the total number of registered residential properties sold at full value of over £2 million for the latest available quarter and the total for the year 2009.
	The figure for October to December 2009 is 251 and the total in the year January 2009 to December 2009, is 832. This last figure includes in its total one property that was sold twice during 2009.
	Full value reflects registered residential property transactions where the full price has been paid. The figures exclude a number of transactions including Right to Buy sales at a discount, properties sold by way of a gift and properties sold under a Compulsory Purchase or Court Order. Not all property in England is registered.

Isle of Man: Health Services

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has for the termination of the Isle of Man-United Kingdom Reciprocal Health Agreement.

Michael Wills: The Ministry of Justice has no such plans, since reciprocal health agreements are the responsibility of the Department of Health, not the Ministry of Justice. I understand however that Department of Health Ministers have given notice of their intention to terminate the agreement with the Isle of Man with effect from 1 April 2010.

Legal Aid

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much and what proportion of the legal aid budget has been spent on fraud cases in the last five years.

Bridget Prentice: The information requested is not available in the time required. I will write to the hon. Member for North-West Norfolk once the information becomes available.

Political Parties and Elections Act 2009

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the answer of 21 July 2009,  Official Report, column 1388W, on the Political Parties and Elections Bill, what his plans are for the timetable for the commencement of each provision of the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 to be commenced by order.

Michael Wills: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement that the Justice Secretary issued on 24 November 2009,  Official Report, columns 67-68WS.

Prisoners Release

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Harborough of 11 November 2009,  Official Report, columns 487-88W, on prisoners' release, how many of the 192 prisoners released in error since 2005 remain at large; for how long they have been at large; what estimate he has made of the number of reoffences they have committed after release; and of what nature.

Maria Eagle: Prison establishments are required to report known releases in error to the intelligence and operations unit in National Offender Management Service headquarters. However, the incident reporting system does not hold records of these events in a format which can be interrogated electronically to obtain the specific information requested.
	Since my reply to the hon. and learned Member for Harborough (Mr. Garnier) on 11 November was compiled, some additional cases have been identified and the total number of releases in error now reported, and the outcomes, is as follows:
	
		
			   Total releases in error reported to the incident reporting system  Number of these who have subsequently been back in custody  Number of these who have since appeared in court  Number for whom there is no record of subsequent contact with the criminal justice system 
			 2005 43 34 8 1 
			 2006 48 40 4 (1)4 
			 2007 35 31 3 1 
			 2008 58 49 5 4 
			 2009 (to 30 September) 35 28 4 3 
			 Total 219 182 24 (1)13 
			 (1) Includes one former prisoner known to be deceased. 
		
	
	Not all prisoners released in error will be unlawfully at large. For example, they may be released on a valid licence or have been unconvicted prisoners whose cases have now been concluded without a custodial sentence. As the table shows, there are only 12 surviving ex-prisoners who have not been back into the criminal justice system since their release in error. Further inquiries are being made to ensure all appropriate action is being taken to locate them.
	Most prisoners released in error are returned to custody quickly. While we are aware of one case in which a prisoner released in error committed a serious offence in 2005, there is otherwise no indication from the available information of any significant level of offending by prisoners who should have been in custody at the time.

Prisoners: Ex-servicemen

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many armed forces veterans are  (a) serving a custodial sentence in a prison in England and Wales and  (b) the subject of (i) a court order and (ii) a parole licence.

Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Defence's Defence Analytical Services and Advice has undertaken an exercise to match Ministry of Justice data on prisoners in England and Wales with the MOD database of service leavers to establish the number of armed forces veterans in custody. The analysis indicates that almost 3 per cent. of the prison population in England and Wales were former armed forces personnel.
	Data for those supervised by the probation service are not available. We are exploring the feasibility and cost of extending the data matching to encompass this group of offenders.

Prisoners: Ex-servicemen

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he plans to identify armed forces veterans who are the subject of  (a) a court report or  (b) admission to custody; and whether he plans advice and support packages for such veterans.

Maria Eagle: Offenders who are the subject of a pre-sentence report and prisoners being inducted into custody are routinely asked for details of their employment history. Prison assessment procedures are being revised to include more specific questions to identify offenders who have served in the armed forces.
	A guide for prison officers working with veterans has been developed. This will allow them to provide advice and support as part of their existing offender management work. This material has been informed by some of the existing good practice that has already been developed in a number of prisons where officers are assuming the role of Veterans in Custody Support Officer, to assist veterans with gaining access to the support and specialist help they need. The pack will be distributed to prisons between January and March 2010, accompanied by training for staff and ongoing support for them in its implementation.
	Work is in progress to prepare instructions and guidance for probation staff supervising ex-service personnel in the community. Probation staff will be invited to attend the training and networking events that are scheduled for prison staff between January and March 2010.
	The Ministry of Defence's Defence Analytical Services and Advice has undertaken an exercise to match Ministry of Justice data on prisoners in England and Wales with the MOD database of service leavers to establish the numbers of armed forces veterans in custody. The analysis indicates that almost 3 per cent. of the prison population in England and Wales were former armed forces personnel.

Prisoners: Ex-servicemen

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what studies his Department has conducted since 2000 into the number of armed forces veterans serving a custodial sentence; and what the outcome of each such study was.

Maria Eagle: Three nationally representative surveys of 2,000 sentenced prisoners near release were conducted by the Home Office in 2001, 2003 and 2004. They were asked about their previous employment in the armed forces. The results showed the proportion of prisoners who had previously served in the armed forces in those years were 6 per cent., 4 per cent. and 5 per cent. respectively.

Prisoners: Voting Rights

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what procedures the Prison Service has in place to enable foreign nationals in UK prisons to vote by post in overseas elections where they have such a right.

Maria Eagle: Foreign nationals, including EU citizens, who are eligible to vote in their home state according to that country's domestic law, will be given such reasonable assistance by the National Offender Management Service as is practicable to enable them to exercise their right to vote while in prison, which would principally concern the appropriate handling of postal votes. Currently, any such assistance would be handled at local level and, therefore, figures for the number of foreign national prisoners requesting assistance is not held centrally. However, NOMS are not aware of significant numbers of individuals requesting assistance and it is not anticipated that this assistance would require significant funding. The responsibility remains with the individual both to register to vote, and to vote.

Prisons: Drugs

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of any overlap between the work of probation officers and the work of drug intervention programme teams.

Maria Eagle: There is no overlap between the work of probation officers and the drug intervention programme (DIP).
	Criminal Justice Integrated Teams (CJITs), which implement DP in the community, manage offenders who misuse specified class A drugs (ie heroin or crack cocaine) either pre-sentence or after they are released from prison without statutory supervision.
	Offenders with drug misuse problems who are sentenced to a community order with drug rehabilitation requirements (DRRs) or who are released from prison on licence are managed by probation staff.
	Where an offender who misuses specified class A drugs is sentenced to a community order without DRRs, probation staff work in partnership with CJITs to address their drug misuse needs.

Prisons: Drugs

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many staff are employed as part of the Interventions and Substance Misuse Group within the National Offender Management System; and how many were so employed in June 2008.

Maria Eagle: The following table shows the number of staff in post and what this equates to in terms of full-time equivalents for the two months specified.
	
		
			  Interventions and Substance Misuse Group staffing 
			   June 2008  December 2009 
			 Staff in post 143 158 
			 Full-time equivalents 137.46 146.71

Prisons: Drugs

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what  (a) assessment has been made of the merits and  (b) estimate has been made of the costs per prisoner of places in dedicated drug treatment prisons.

Maria Eagle: The National Offender Management Service has a comprehensive drug treatment framework, based on the National Treatment Agency's revised models of care, to address the different needs of drug-misusers in prison. The interventions available are designed to meet the needs of low, moderate and severe drug misusers, irrespective of age, gender or ethnicity. Core elements of the framework are available in all adult prisons across England and Wales. Higher intensity services are available in selected sites according to the drug treatment needs of offenders.
	Given the large numbers entering prisons with a history of drug misuse and the range of problems that they face, we have not considered it appropriate formally to assess the merits of dedicated drug treatment prisons. However, where prisoners are assessed as suitable for high intensity drug interventions such as therapeutic communities or the 12-step programme every effort is made to move them to an establishment offering that programme.
	As no formal assessment has taken place, we have not estimated the cost of places in dedicated drug treatment prisons. However, average costs in 2008-09 indicate that the additional cost of places on prison-based accredited drug treatment programmes (eg 12-step, Therapeutic Communities) can range from £1,200 to £7,200. Variations in cost are dependent upon the mix of staff delivering the programme and its length/intensity.

Prisons: Food

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the average cost of providing a meal to a prisoner in the latest period for which figures are available.

Maria Eagle: The full cost of providing meals includes a number of elements including staff and prisoner labour, food, training (staff and prisoner), kitchen and servery facilities, utilities and other overheads, including management overheads, and it is not possible to fully identify these costs-some of which are shared resources across individual prisons and between prisons.
	It is, however, possible to separately identify the cost of food. For 2008-09, the last full financial year for which figures are available, the average public sector Prison Service daily food cost per prisoner in England and Wales was £2.31.
	The average food cost per meal per prisoner is based on the understanding that breakfast, lunch and dinner account for approximately 20 per cent., 40 per cent. and 40 per cent. of the daily food cost. Using these figures, the average cost per meal per prisoner was: breakfast 46.2p; lunch 92.4p; and, dinner 92.4p. But these percentages will vary from one establishment to another and are illustrative only.

Prisons: Inspections

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prison governors have reported moving prisoners immediately prior to an inspection in the last 12 months.

Maria Eagle: Governors are not required to report transferring prisoners to other establishments as transfers are a regular and frequent occurrence.
	On 20 October 2009, the Secretary of State for Justice, made a statement to the House of Commons asking Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons to work with the Ministry of Justice director of analytical services to investigate whether any temporary transfer of prisoners had occurred before an inspection by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons. The results of this investigation will be made available in due course.

Prisons: Rape

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many rapes were reported in each prison in England and Wales in each year since 2000;
	(2)  how many incidents of grievous bodily harm have taken place in prisons in each year since 2000;
	(3)  how many incidents of sexual assault have taken place in prisons in each year since 2000.

Maria Eagle: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) does not capture data specifically concerning rape in prison. Rather, numbers of all types of sexual assault incidents are recorded and these are provided in Table 2.
	NOMS has, for many years, recorded serious assaults using a bespoke definition and does not currently have the ability to capture data using Home Office counting rules definitions, such as grievous bodily harm. NOMS defines a serious assault as any of the following:
	It is a sexual assault.
	It results in detention in outside hospital as an in-patient.
	It requires medical treatment for concussion or internal injuries.
	The injury is a fracture, scald or burn, stabbing, crushing, extensive or multiple bruising, black eye, broken nose, lost or broken tooth, cuts requiring suturing, bites or temporary or permanent blindness.
	When an assault results in one of these types of injuries it is classified as serious even if the actual damage was superficial.
	Numbers of serious assaults recorded by NOMS for the years in question are given in Table 1.
	
		
			  Table 1 
			   Recorded incidents of serious assault in prisons in England and Wales  Proportion of all assaults (percentage) 
			 2000(1) 794 8 
			 2001(1) 796 7 
			 2002 956 8 
			 2003 1,159 10 
			 2004 1,220 10 
			 2005 1,371 10 
			 2006 1,404 9 
			 2007 1,482 10 
			 2008 1,481 9 
			 (1)Due to improved recording over the years, figures from 1998 to 2001 are not directly comparable with those from later years. Numbers may differ slightly from previously published figures.   Note:  The numbers supplied refer to the number of individual assault incidents. 
		
	
	Data on sexual assaults and other incidents in prison are obtained through the National Offender Management Service's Incident Reporting System. Numbers of sexual assault incidents for the years in question are given in Table 2. The figures include proven and unproven allegations and are subject to change because some allegations are removed or reclassified following investigation.
	
		
			  Table 2 
			   Recorded incidents of sexual assault in prisons in  England and Wales 
			 2000(1) 115 
			 2001(1) 101 
			 2002 143 
			 2003 131 
			 2004 144 
			 2005 139 
			 2006 148 
			 2007 135 
			 2008 119 
			 (1)Due to improved recording over the years, figures from 1998 to 2001 are not directly comparable with those from later years. Numbers may differ slightly from previously published figures.   Note:  The numbers supplied refer to the number of individual assault incidents. 
		
	
	Since 2004, a national strategy has directed every public sector prison to have in place a local violence reduction strategy. From mid-2007 this policy has been applied to both the public sector and contracted estate. The strategy requires each prison to undertake regular analysis of the problem areas, consider solutions and provide an action plan to improve personal safety and reduce violence. A whole-prison approach is encouraged, engaging all staff, all disciplines and prisoners in challenging unacceptable behaviour, problem-solving and personal safety. This includes environmental and physical measures, as well as alternative ways of managing behaviour.

Prisons: Religion

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what criteria the Prison Service uses to determine whether to recognise a religion for the purposes of facilitating religious ministry in prison.

Maria Eagle: The Prison Service does not have specified criteria for determining whether to recognise a religion for the purposes of facilitating religious ministry in prisons. Cases would be considered on their merits taking into account security, good order and discipline as well as the needs and rights of the individual prisoner.
	All prisons have chaplaincy teams to enable and facilitate religious and pastoral support to prisoners.

Prisons: Smuggling

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prison staff were charged with disciplinary or criminal offences involving  (a) importation of drugs,  (b) importation of mobile telephones and  (c) importation of other contraband to a prison in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Maria Eagle: According to centrally held records(1) in the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), 10 staff were subject to formal disciplinary action for the conveying of prohibited items into prisons in the period 1 December 2008 through 30 November 2009. A breakdown of these cases is provided in the following table:
	
		
			  NOMS staff disciplined for conveying prohibited items into prisons 
			  Description  Number of staff disciplined 
			 Drugs 2 
			 Mobile phones 3 
			 Other contraband 5 
			 Total 10 
		
	
	Tackling the supply of drugs and mobile phones into prisons is a high priority for NOMS. Since David Blakey's report, Disrupting the Supply of Illicit Drugs into Prisons, was published in July 2008 good progress has been made in implementing Blakey's recommendations. We have also strengthened the law, through the Offender Management Act 2007 (implemented in April 2008), which makes it a criminal offence with a punishment of up to ten years' imprisonment for the conveyance of drugs, mobile phones or other prohibited items into a prison. There is also a range of offences used to prosecute staff in these circumstances, including misconduct in public office and possession with intent to supply.
	The National Offender Management Service does not, though, record detailed information relating to charges or convictions for criminal offences in the form requested.
	From April 2009 convictions under the Act have been included in the Home Office Counting Rules, which provide a national standard for the recording and counting of notifiable offences recorded by police forces in England and Wales (known as recorded crime). Statistics will be published in next year's Annual Crime Statistics Bulletin due to be published July 2010, and will provide a more accurate picture of the use of the Act.
	(1)The data contained in the above table was extracted from the central Discipline Database and the Personnel Management Database, both of which are subject to the normal inaccuracies associated with any large scale reporting system. Any cases which are still ongoing, or subject to internal appeal, have not been included.

Remand in Custody

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people in each age group who were remanded in custody in each year since 1997 were not convicted of the offence for which they were remanded in custody; and how much time was spent on remand by such people.

Maria Eagle: Information collected by the Ministry of Justice and held centrally on the court proceedings database only records details of the final outcome of court proceedings, e.g. following conviction or acquittal. Therefore it is not possible to provide information on the original offence for which a defendant was proceeded against.

Review of the 30-year Rule

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he plans to publish the Government's response to the review of the 30 year rule submitted to his Department in January 2009.

Michael Wills: The Government are finalising their response to the review of the 30-year rule and this will be published in due course.

Secure Training Centres: Restraint Techniques

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will place in the Library an unredacted copy of the physical control in care restraint manual used in secure training centres.

Maria Eagle: A copy of the redacted manual has been placed in the House Library. The redaction is necessary in order to remove sensitive security information, misuse of which could lead to injury to a young person in custody, to a member of staff, or to a member of the public attempting one of the holds or on whom a hold was attempted.

Young Offenders: Reoffenders

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what data his Department collect on youth reoffending at middle layer super output area level; and where such data are published.

Claire Ward: The published National Statistics on juvenile reoffending in England and Wales are not broken down by area. As part of the National Indicator Set, NI19-Juvenile Reoffending provides these data at the local level, but data are only available at the Youth Offender Team level. Youth Offender Team areas are not coterminous with local authorities in all cases-tables including this information have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
	Breaking the data down to smaller areas would be likely to result in figures which were too small to be meaningful.
	Juvenile reoffending data at the Youth Offender Team level is available for 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2008. For 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 data are based on a cohort of offenders that received a pre-court disposal (reprimand or final warning) or a first-tier or community penalty or were released from custody between October and December of that year. Data on this previous measure for the 2002-2005 cohorts were reported in early 2004-2007 respectively. After 2007 the basis of the measure changed to offenders that received a pre-court disposal (reprimand or final warning) or a first-tier or community penalty or were released from custody between January and March. Data on this new basis are available for the 2005 and 2008 cohorts-the former submitted retrospectively in September 2008, and the latter returned in July 2009.
	The local juvenile reoffending measure differs from the published national statistics on juvenile reoffending. The primary difference is that the data source is administrative data held by youth offending teams, whereas the national statistics are produced using the police national computer. There are therefore differences in the offences which count towards reoffending. In addition to this, local juvenile reoffending data is based on a one year follow up period with a further three months allowed for any cautions or convictions to occur, whereas the national statistics allow a six month period for cautions or convictions.

Youth Custody

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many hours each day young offenders spent locked in a cell at each  (a) secure children's home,  (b) secure training centre and  (c) young offender institution on average in the latest period for which figures are available.

Maria Eagle: The following tables provide the average number of hours per day which young people in custody spent in their rooms during September 2009.
	The data have been supplied by the Youth Justice Board and have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large-scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing and may be subject to change over time.
	
		
			  (a) Secure children's homes  Time in room (hours) 
			 Aldine House 10.5 
			 Atkinson Unit 10.1 
			 Aycliffe 11.0 
			 Barton Moss 10.9 
			 Clayfields 11.3 
			 East Moor 11.1 
			 Hillside 9.5 
			 Kyloe 11.5 
			 Lincolnshire 11.0 
			 Red Bank 10.3 
			 Swanwick Lodge 11.0 
			 Vinney Green 10.2 
		
	
	
		
			  (b) Secure training centres  Time in room (hours) 
			 Oakhill 10.0 
			 Medway 10.4 
			 Rainsbrook 10.0 
			 Hassockfield 10.1 
		
	
	
		
			  (c) Young offender institutions  Time in room (hours) 
			 Ashfield 13.9 
			 Brinsford 15.6 
			 Castington 15.2 
			 Cookham Wood 15.2 
			 Downview 14.2 
			 Eastwood Park 11.8 
			 Feltham 16.0 
			 Foston Hall 12.0 
			 Hindley 15.4 
			 Huntercombe 15.6 
			 New Hall 12.8 
			 Parc 15.2 
			 Stoke Heath 16.3 
			 Warren Hill 15.1 
			 Werrington 15.3 
			 Wetherby 15.5 
			 Wetherby (Keppel Unit) 13.9

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Apprentices

Stephen Williams: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many apprentices there were in the  (a) construction,  (b) administration and human resources,  (c) agricultural and land based services,  (d) broadcast film and media,  (e) chemical, oil and nuclear energy,  (f) customer service and retail,  (g) energy and utilities,  (h) electrical and engineering,  (i) financial services,  (j) food and drink,  (k) hair and beauty,  (l) logistics,  (m) hospitality and travel,  (n) marine,  (o) property,  (p) public services,  (q) sports and fitness and  (r) chemical, oil and nuclear sector in each region in the latest period for which figures are available.

Kevin Brennan: Information is not available to identify the total number of apprentices by sector as listed above.
	Table 1 as follows shows apprenticeship starts for 2007/08 and 2008/09 (based on provisional data) by sector subject area.
	
		
			  Table 1: Apprenticeship starts by sector subject area 
			  Sector subject area  2007/08  2008/09( 1) 
			 Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care 4,500 5,100 
			 Arts, Media and Publishing 100 200 
			 Business, Administration and Law 50,700 62,700 
			 Construction, Planning and the Built Environment 27,800 27,900 
			 Education and Training 300 1,200 
			 Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies 43,100 36,000 
			 Health, Public Services and Care 31,100 34,200 
			 Information and Communication Technology 8,000 8,700 
			 Languages, Literature and Culture (2)- (2)- 
			 Leisure, Travel and Tourism 6,300 11,100 
			 Preparation for Life and Work (2)- (2)- 
			 Retail and Commercial Enterprise 49,300 46,800 
			 Science and Mathematics (2)- (2)- 
			 Unknown 3,500 (2)- 
			 Grand Total 224,800 234,000 
			 (1 )Provisional. (2) Indicates a base value of less than fifty.  Notes:  1. The following data sources have been used; Work-based learning (WBL)-2007/08 and earlier years (W13 final), 2008/09 (E12 07/08/09).  2. Volumes are rounded to the nearest hundred.  3. Unlike participation figures, figures are comparable between 2008/09 and earlier years as demand led funding does not affect starts.  4. Apprenticeship starts for 2008/09 are provisional. Starts will rise by approximately 2-3 per cent.. This revised information will be shown in the December 2009 SFR, and the accompanying supplementary tables.  5. Full-year numbers are a count of the number of starts at any point during the year. Learners starting more than one framework will appear more than once.  6. Higher level apprenticeships are included with advanced apprenticeships. Programme-led apprenticeships recorded in WBL ILR returns are included in the above figures. 
		
	
	More detailed data are also available by apprenticeship sector framework code and by region. This was published in supplementary tables S6.1 and S6.2 of the Statistical First Release published in October. This information can be found here:
	http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/sfroct09/sfr_oct_2009_table_6.htm

Apprentices

David Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people withdrew from apprenticeship schemes before completing them in each quarter of the last five years.

Kevin Brennan: The number of people starting and successfully completing an apprenticeship is at a record level, with 127,000 (provisional) completing in 2008/09 compared to 112,000 in 2007/08. Completion rates reached an all time high of 64 per cent. in 2007/08 compared to 37 per cent. in 2004/05. Table 1 shows the number of people that left an apprenticeship programme without achieving, by quarter, for 2003/04 to 2007/08, the latest year for which we have complete data.
	
		
			  Table 1: Apprenticeship withdrawals by quarter 
			  Number 
			   2003/04  2004/05  2005/06  2006/07  2007/08 
			 Quarter 1 30,900 22,400 20,300 16,200 15,800 
			 Quarter 2 27,600 20,200 17,800 14,000 13,500 
			 Quarter 3 28,600 19,000 17,100 13,500 14,600 
			 Quarter 4 27,300 20,300 18,000 13,200 14,500 
			 Unknown 5,700 9,000 4,800 4,300 3,900 
			 Total 120,100 90,900 78,000 61,100 62,300 
			  Notes:  1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred, and therefore may not sum to totals. 2. Quarter 1: 1 August to 31 October Quarter 2: 1 November to 31 January Quarter 3: 1 February to 30 April Quarter 4: 1 May to 31 July. 3. Figures for 2003/04 are not directly comparable to later years due to a change in the variable used to record the status of the learner. 4. Withdrawals include both those learners that left the course prior to the end date, and those learners that attended the full duration of the course but did not achieve a qualification.  Source: WBL ILR.

Apprentices: Marketing

David Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much has been spent from the public purse on the  (a) creation and  (b) screening of television advertisements for apprenticeships in each of the last three years.

Kevin Brennan: There has been one television advertising campaign for apprenticeships in England in the last three years. The campaign in February and March 2009 cost £361,154 to create and £2,764,557 to screen.

Apprentices: Nottingham

Graham Allen: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many apprenticeship starts there were in Nottingham, North constituency in  (a) 1997 and  (b) 2008-09.

Kevin Brennan: Information on the number of apprenticeship starts is published in a quarterly statistical first release (SFR). The latest SFR was published on 17 December:
	http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/sfrdec09
	Supplementary table 6.1 shows apprenticeship starts by region, local authority and parliamentary constituency from 2003/04, the earliest year for which we have comparable data.

Apprentices: Preston

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many modern apprenticeships have been started in Preston since 1997.

Kevin Brennan: Information on the number of apprenticeship starts is published in a quarterly statistical first release (SFR). The latest SFR was published on 17 December:
	http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/sfrdec09
	Supplementary table 6.1 shows apprenticeship starts by region, local authority and parliamentary constituency from 2003/04, the earliest year for which we have comparable data.

Capita

Don Touhig: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on how many occasions Capita Group plc tendered for contracts let by his Department and its predecessors in each of the last five years; how many such tenders were successful; how much his Department and its predecessors paid to Capita Group plc for the execution of contracts in each such year; how many contracts which terminate after 2010 Capita Group plc hold with his Department; and what the monetary value is of all current contracts between his Department and Capita Group plc.

Patrick McFadden: Central records indicate that BIS and its predecessor element DTI/BERR paid the following to Capita Group companies in each of the last five years.
	
		
			  Supplier  Total spend (£) 
			  FY 2004/05  
			 Capita 46,346.79 
			 Capita Business Services Ltd. 551,145.61 
			 Capita Insurance Services 1,220,000.87 
			 Capita Insurance Services Group Ltd. 66,793,490.14 
			 Capita interim management business services Ltd. 3,270.00 
			 Capita RAS Ltd. 8,500.00 
			 Two Ten Communications Ltd. (Capita Communications) 25.00 
			   
			  FY05/06  
			 Capita 78,424.55 
			 Capita Business Services Ltd. 5,650.00 
			 Capita Health Solutions 411,647.03 
			 Capita Resourcing 16,903.00 
			 Capita Symonds Ltd. 4,126.75 
			 Capita Insurance Services 28,304,682.86 
			 Capita Insurance Services Group Ltd. 48,072,508.27 
			 Capita Learning and Development 1,620.75 
			   
			  FY 2006/07  
			 Capita 716,539.58 
			 Capita Business Services Ltd. 37,231,189.40 
			 Capita Hartshead 25,575.58 
			 Capita Health Solutions Ltd. 281,676.44 
			 Capita Resourcing Ltd. 314,737.93 
			 Capita Symonds Ltd. 1,113.05 
			 Capita Centres UK Ltd. 190.00 
			 Capita Insurance Services 30,907,287.15 
			 Capita Insurance Services Group Ltd. 127,250.00 
			 Capita Learning and Development 1,379.63 
			 Two Ten Communications Ltd. (Capita Communications) 2,002.17 
			   
			  FY 2007/08  
			 Capita 885,008.14 
			 Capita Business Services Ltd. 45,897,209.30 
			 Capita Fulfilment Services 32.35 
			 Capita Hartshead 9,682.37 
			 Capita Health Solutions Ltd. 2,094,132.53 
			 Capita Resourcing Ltd. 616,010.72 
			 Capita Resourcing Ltd. t/a Veredus Interim Management 185,885.48 
			 Capita Symonds Ltd. 485.10 
			 Capita Learning and Development 895.00 
			 Two Ten Communications Ltd. (Capita Communications) 15.27 
			   
			  FY 2008/09  
			 Capita 1,014,817.39 
			 Capita Business Services Ltd. 25,187,877.83 
			 Capita Health Solutions Ltd. 138,710.36 
			 Capita Resourcing Ltd. 154,562.75 
			 Capita Symonds Ltd. 2,166.16 
		
	
	DCSF has advised similar figures relating to the former DIUS element of BIS could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The other details that have been requested could also be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Capital Investment: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much capital funding his Department and its predecessors have allocated to  (a) York College,  (b) the University of York and  (c) the University of York St John in each year since 1992.

Kevin Brennan: Total capital funding by this Department for the named institutions are as follows:
	
		
			  (a) York further education and higher education college 
			   £ 
			 2001/02 28,052 
			 2004/05 162,900 
			 2005/06 21,159,347 
		
	
	
		
			  (b) and (c) University of York and university of York St. John 
			  £ 
			   University of York  University of York St .  John 
			 2000-01 246,009 171,396 
			 2001-02 5,970,839 0 
			 2002-03 5,618,921 2,206,823 
			 2003-04 10,508,383 480,369 
			 2004-05 10,254,589 3,371,602 
			 2005-06 8,649,369 280,000 
			 2006-07 3,527,349 3,101,758 
			 2007-08 16,182,678 939,152 
			 2008-09 31,442,103 1,308,627 
			 2009-10 26,823,315 1,250,615

Crossrail: Training

David Evennett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions his Department has had with Crossrail Limited on its skills requirements for employees.

Kevin Brennan: The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is working with Crossrail to agree a Skills and Employment Plan for the project from 2010 and is a member of the Crossrail Skills and Employment Committee. The LSC's response to Crossrail's skills needs closely reflects the work and planning undertaken with the Olympic Delivery Authority for the 2012 games and includes work to ensure careers advisors are aware of the types of jobs that may be created by the Crossrail project including around 400 new apprenticeship opportunities.
	The Skills Funding Agency, which replaces the LSC in April 2010, will continue to work with Crossrail on its skills requirements for employees.

Departmental Art Works

Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills whether his Department has spent money on art works in the last 12 months.

Patrick McFadden: Works of art displayed in this Department are from the Government Art Collection (GAC), which publishes an annual list of acquisitions. The most recent details of acquisitions made by the GAC were published on 5 October 2009 and are available on the GAC website:
	http://www.gac.culture.gov.uk/information/publications.asp

Departmental Pay

David Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what bonuses were paid to  (a) consultants and  (b) contractors engaged by executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which his Department and its predecessors were responsible in each of the last three years.

Patrick McFadden: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Glasgow, East (John Mason) on 26 November 2009,  Official Report, column 295W.

Departmental Telephone Services

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many telephone lines with the prefix  (a) 0870,  (b) 0845 and  (c) 0800 his Department (i) operates and (ii) sponsors; how many calls each number received in the last 12 months; and whether alternative numbers charged at the BT local rate are available in each case.

Patrick McFadden: The information requested is as follows:
	(i) Information is available centrally on eight 08 telephone lines operated by the Department. These are listed in the table with the number of calls received by each line where that information is held and the alternative contact numbers where available.
	
		
			  Telephone number  Number of calls  January  to  December  2009  Alternative number  Notes 
			 0845 015 0010 15,626 n/a  
			 0845 015 0020 637 n/a  
			 0845 015 0030 175 n/a  
			 0845 019 0001 1,393 n/a  
			 0845 600 0678 (1)16,867 n/a No longer published. Since June 2009 calls to this number have been rerouted to the new Pay and Work Rights helpline. 
			 0845 600 9006 180,000 n/a  
			 0845 955 5105 (2)-  No longer published. Since June 2009 calls to this number have been rerouted to the new Pay and Work Rights helpline. 
			 0870 513 4486 (2)- 020 7215 6880  
			 n/a = not available (1) January to May 2009 (2) Not held 
		
	
	(ii) The only information available from central records on BIS sponsored 08 telephone lines is for 0800 917 2368, the new Pay and Work Rights helpline. Between May and December 2009 the helpline has received 54,000 calls. There is no alternative contact number for this service.

Energy

John Battle: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what support his Department is providing to encourage micro combined heat and power generation in 2009-10.

David Kidney: I have been asked to reply.
	While the Low Carbon Buildings programme is in theory open to microCHP, the lack of accredited products means the Government do not currently provide support for microCHP. We are considering support options for microCHP in the context of the feed-in tariffs consultation
	http://decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/elec_financial/elec_financial.aspx
	The Government are developing a new Microgeneration Strategy that will look at the non financial barriers to deployment of household-scale low carbon and renewable technologies including micro CHP systems. We are due to consult on the Microgeneration Strategy by the summer of 2010. This strategy should usefully consider supply chain issues in relation to the range of small scale on-site low carbon and renewable energy technologies, for example, the development of skills in design and installation of such technologies. In addition, it may also consider other areas such as developing a systems approach as opposed to a technology approach for microgeneration technologies, certification and standards and information provision. This strategy should benefit a range of different technologies, including micro CHP.
	Through the Carbon Trust the Government have funded the microCHP accelerator field trial, details of which are available at
	http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/emerging-technologies/current-focus-areas/pages/micro-combined-heat-power.aspx
	Through the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) we recently held a £7.2 million call for proposals for capital investment to support demonstration programmes. This included fuel cell micro CHP demonstration. More information is available from
	http://www.innovateuk.org/deliveringinnovation/forthcoming competitions/fuelcellsandhydrogendemonstrationprogramme.ashx

Graduates: Work Experience

David Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many vacancies have been  (a) advertised and  (b) filled via the Graduate Talent Pool website in each month since it was created.

David Lammy: The total number of vacancies advertised on Graduate Talent Pool since it went live on 29 July is 12,090, of which, 6,578 are still live on the site. The other 5,512 will have either been filled or withdrawn.
	The number of vacancies advertised by month is as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 June 119 
			 July 3,425 
			 August 1,547 
			 September 2,729 
			 October 2,241 
			 November 1,704 
			 December 325 
		
	
	Information on filled vacancies is derived from periodic surveys of employers. We have information from the first such survey covering vacancies that closed during July and August, before the communications targeted at graduates began. This indicated that 30 per cent. of employers had filled some or all of their vacancies at that stage and that recruitment was continuing in a number of other cases.

Grocery Trade: Competition

Andrew George: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  whether he has made an assessment of the potential effects of implementation of the Competition Commission's proposals for a grocery supply ombudsman on  (a) grocery prices and  (b) affordability of goods in supermarkets;
	(2)  what regulatory impact assessment he has made of implementation of the Competition Commission's proposals for a grocery supply ombudsman;
	(3)  whether he has made an estimate of the cost of implementing the Competition Commission's proposal for a grocery supply ombudsman.

Kevin Brennan: An impact assessment will be produced and published alongside any future consultation on the Competition Commission's (CC's) proposals for a groceries supply code of practice (GSCOP) ombudsman. The assessment will consider and take into account the effects of the CC's proposals and include the costs and benefits of the implementing the proposal, grocery prices and the affordability of goods in supermarkets.

Grocery Trade: Competition

Andrew George: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions  (a) he,  (b) Ministers in his Department and  (c) his officials have had on the merits of the Competition Commission's proposal for a grocery supply ombudsman (i) between April 2008 and 3 August 2009, (ii) between 4 August 2009 and 1 November 2009 and (iii) since 2 November 2009.

Kevin Brennan: BIS Ministers and officials regularly meet with a range of stakeholders to discuss a wide range of issues including the Competition Commission's (CC's) groceries market recommendations such as the grocery ombudsman as part of the process of policy development. Other topics such as skills, employment and other business issues will have been covered as part of a wider agenda. The following meetings (where records are available) were held during the specified periods:
	 (i) Meetings held between April 2008 and 3 August 2009:
	22 May 2008-Meeting with Sainsbury's-attended by David Saunders (the then Director for Consumer and Competition Policy, BIS) and other BIS officials.
	6 June 2008-Meeting with Tesco-attended by BIS officials.
	11 June 2008-Meeting with Sainsbury's-attended by BIS officials.
	12 June 2008-Meeting with Asda-attended by David Saunders (the then Director for Consumer and Competition Policy) and other BIS officials.
	26 June 2008-Meeting with Sainsbury's-attended by Gareth Thomas MP (the then BIS Competition Minister) and another BIS official.
	17 July 2008-Meeting with Traidcraft-attended by Gareth Thomas MP (the then BIS Competition Minister) and a BIS official.
	31 October 2008-Meeting with Tesco-attended by Geoffrey Norris (Special Advisor to BIS Secretary of State).
	10 December 2008-Meeting with Traidcraft and members of the Cross Cutting Group-attended by BIS officials.
	11 January 2009-Meeting with Association of Convenience Stores-attended by Ian Pearson, Minister.
	11 February 2009-Meeting with Waitrose-attended by BIS officials.
	18 February 2009-Meeting with National Farmer's Union-attended by Sir Brian Bender (the then BIS Permanent Secretary) and a BIS official.
	19 February 2009-Meeting with Sainsbury's-attended by Sarah Chambers (Director for Consumer and Competition Policy, BIS) and another BIS official.
	19 March 2009-Meeting with Tesco-attended by Gareth Thomas MP (the then BIS Competition Minister) and other BIS officials.
	26 March 2009-Meeting with Tesco-attended by BIS officials.
	31 March 2009-Meeting with Association of Convenience Stores-attended by Gareth Thomas MP (the then BIS Competition Minister) and BIS officials.
	17 July 2009-Meeting with Tesco-attended by a BIS official.
	 (ii) Meetings held between 4 August 2009 and 1 November 2009:
	12 August 2009-Meeting with Asda-attended by Sarah Chambers (Director for Consumer and Competition Policy, BIS) and another BIS official.
	13 August 2009-Meeting with Groceries Market Action Group members: National Farmers Union, British Brands Group, Traidcraft, and Association of Convenient Stores-attended by Sarah Chambers (Director for Consumer and Competition Policy, BIS) and another BIS official.
	9 September 2009-Meeting with British Retail Consortium-attended by a BIS official.
	15 September 2009-Meeting with Tesco-attended by Lord Mandelson (BIS Secretary of State) and a BIS official.
	13 October 2009-Meeting with ActionAid-attended by Geoffrey Norris (Special Advisor to BIS Secretary of State).
	15 October 2009-Meeting with Waitrose-attended by BIS officials.
	 (iii) Meetings held since 2 November 2009:
	2 November 2009-Meeting with British Retail Consortium-attended by Simon Fraser (BIS Permanent Secretary) and a BIS official.
	3 November 2009-Meeting with Groceries Market Action Group including: ActionAid, National Farmers Union and Association of Convenience Stores-attended by Kevin Brennan MP (BIS Competition Minister).
	3 November 2009-Meeting with representatives from ActionAid, National Farmers Union, and Association of Convenience Stores-attended by Kevin Brennan MP (BIS Competition Minister).
	4 November 2009-Meeting with Morrisons-attended by Ian Lucas MP (BIS Minister for Business and Regulatory Reform) and a BIS official.
	17 November 2009-Meeeting with Sainsbury's attended by a BIS Official.
	23 Novermber 2009-Meeting with the British Retail Consortium and also attendees from the Co-operative Group, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Iceland-attended by Kevin Brennan MP (BIS Competition Minister) and a BIS Official.
	26 November 2009-Meeting with National Farmers Union-attended by Kevin Brennan MP (BIS Competition Minister) and a BIS official.
	1 December 2009-Meeting with Food and Drink Federation-attended by Kevin Brennan MP (BIS Competition Minister) and a BIS official.
	2 December 2009-Meeting with Consumer Focus-attended by Kevin Brennan MP (BIS Competition Minister) and a BIS official.
	8 December 2009-Association of Convenience Stores, plus NISA, Today's and SPAR-attended by, Ian Lucas (BIS Minister for Business and Regulatory Reform) and a BIS official.
	16 December 2009-Meeting with Divine Chocolate and Traidcraft-attended by Kevin Brennan MP (BIS Competition Minister) and a BIS official.
	16 December 2009-Meeting with Tesco-attended by a BIS official.
	21 December 2009-Meeting with British Brands Group-attended by a BIS official.

Grocery Trade: Competition

Andrew George: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what evidence his Department holds on potential effects of implementation of the Competition Commission's proposals for a grocery supply ombudsman on  (a) consumer prices,  (b) consumer interests,  (c) consumer choice,  (d) viability of grocery suppliers,  (e) liability of farmers and food growers , (f) economic sustainability of developing world suppliers and  (g) product innovation.

Kevin Brennan: The Department has received a large number of representations including the above issues as part of the evidence gathered on potential effects of the Competition Commission's proposals for a grocery supply ombudsman.
	Those representations, along with the Commission's careful analysis, will be taken into account when we reach our decision shortly.

Higher Education: Admissions

Tim Loughton: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many and what percentage of white  (a) boys and  (b) girls eligible for free school meals in their last year at school obtained a place at (i) university and (ii) a Russell Group university in (A) 1980 and (B) the most recent year for which figures are available.

David Lammy: The following figures show pupils who were in English maintained schools and aged 15 at the start of academic years 2002/03 who progressed to HE by the age of 19 in 2006/07. 2005/06 is the earliest year for which these figures are available.
	These figures have been estimated using matched data from the National Pupil Database, the Higher Education Statistics Agency Student Record and the Learning and Skills Council Individualised Learner Record. Figures for 2007/08 will be available in later in the year.
	
		
			  Estimates of the number and proportion of white female and male pupils aged 15 at the start of the 2002/03 academic year, in English maintained schools, who progressed to HE by the age of 19 in 2006/07 
			   Young persons in UK HE( 1)  of  which  Russell Group HEIs 
			   FSM( 2)  Non-FSM( 2)  FSM  Non-FSM 
			   Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage 
			 White females 2,600 10 71,000 35 200 1 14,200 7 
			 White males 1,800 7 56,800 27 200 1 11,700 6 
			 (1) Includes HE level courses at English further education colleges. (2) FSM and non-FSM indicate receipt and non-receipt of free school meals respectively.  Note: In 2002/03 there were 81,100 maintained school pupils aged 15 claiming free school meals. This represents around 14 per cent. of all pupils in English maintained schools.  Source: Matched data from the National Pupil Database, the Higher Education Statistics Agency Student Record and the Learning and Skills Council Individualised Learner Record. All figures are estimates and numbers have been rounded to the nearest 100.

Higher Education: Overseas Students

Frank Field: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many non-EU overseas students discontinued an undergraduate or postgraduate course at a higher education institution in each of the last five academic years.

David Lammy: The numbers of non-EU overseas undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled at UK higher education institutions are provided in the table. Figures in the table indicate for what reason a student left an institution as recorded on the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) student record.
	Where information has been classified as missing the majority of instances are for students who continued into their next year of study at their higher education institution.
	Figures for the 2008/09 academic year will be available on 14 January 2010.
	
		
			  Non-EU overseas undergraduate and postgraduate enrolments( 1)  by reason for leaving institution, UK higher education institutions, academic years 2003/04 to 2007/08 
			   2003/04  2004/05  2005/06  2006/07  2007/08 
			  Reason for leaving  UG  PG  UG  PG  UG  PG  UG  PG  UG  PG 
			 Completion of course 25,865 17,030 26,405 18,620 29,100 21,020 31,975 23,310 31,805 25,675 
			 Other(2) 4,125 3,140 5,190 3,440 4,790 3,280 4,765 3,560 5,630 3,710 
			 Unknown 250 165 300 240 220 180 180 160 170 115 
			 Missing 65,020 81,655 66,415 82,515 65,100 83,365 65,980 90,645 66,845 95,695 
			 Total 95,260 101,990 98,310 104,815 99,210 107,845 102,900 117,675 104,445 125,200 
			 (1) Covers enrolments to full-time and part-time courses. (2 )Other includes students who left an institution due to academic failure or left in bad standing; left due to health or financial reasons; left due to other personal reasons and dropped out; left due to other reasons; were excluded, went in to employment or were written off after a lapse of time.  Notes:  1. Figures are based on a HESA Standard Registration Population and have been rounded to the nearest five.  2. UG = Undergraduate  3. PG = Postgraduate.  Source:  Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Student Record

Hotels

David Drew: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many hotel room nights were booked by officials in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies in each year since 2007; and how much (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies have spent on fees of third party agents in relation to booking hotel accommodation in each such year.

Patrick McFadden: Following a machinery of government change the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills was formed in June 2009. The following figures relate to the Departments before the merger.
	The number of hotel room nights booked by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform was:
	2007/08: 10,104
	2008/09: 11,258.
	The number of hotel room nights booked by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills was:
	June 2007 to March 2008: 1,455
	200809: 2,497.
	All expenditure incurred is in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety. Hotel accommodation is provided through a cross-Government hotel booking agent, contracts awarded by Buying Solutions. Records of fees paid are not centrally recorded and to provide this information would entail disproportionate cost.
	I have approached the chief executives of the Insolvency Service, Companies House, the National Measurement Office and the Intellectual Property Office and they will respond to you directly.
	 Letter from Peter Mason, dated 21 December 2009:
	I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 16 December 2009, to the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	Information on the number of hotel room nights that have been booked by officials is not held centrally and to do so would incur disproportionate costs. The National Measurement Office has not spent any monies on fees of third party agents in relation to booking hotel accommodation since 2007.
	 Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 8 January 2010:
	I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Question tabled 16 December 2009, UIN 309232, to the Minister of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	Since 2007 Companies House has not paid any fees to third party agents in relation to booking hotel accommodation. Details of the number of hotel room nights booked by officials are not recorded.
	 Letter from Sean Dennehey, dated 21 December 2009:
	I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled 16 December 2009, to the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	The Intellectual Property Office staff book hotel rooms individually within guidelines, as such the information on number of nights is not held centrally and is not available in the current timescales. The Office does use an approved third party to arrange some accommodation but no fees are paid for the service.
	 Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 21 December 2009:
	The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has asked me to reply to your question, how many hotel room nights were booked by officials in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies in each year since 2007; and how much (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies have spent on fees of third party agents in relation to booking hotel accommodation in each such year.
	The Insolvency Service uses Hotelsmart as a booking agent.
	The numbers of rooms booked were:
	2007: 4,907
	2008: 6,432
	2009 to 16 December 2009: 5,768.
	There are no fees paid to Hotelsmart.

Insolvency

Natascha Engel: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many pyramid-selling schemes have been wound up by his Department after the presentation of petitions under the Insolvency Act 1986 in each year since 1997.

Ian Lucas: Unfortunately the records maintained do not contain sufficient detail to provide this information. But I can assure my hon. Friend that the Department continues to treat abuses which occur in pyramid-selling schemes and other similar schemes very seriously, and will continue to petition to wind up those which are trading against the public interest.

Insolvency

Natascha Engel: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many money circulation schemes have been wound up by his Department after the presentation of petitions under the Insolvency Act 1986 in each year since 1997.

Ian Lucas: Unfortunately the records maintained do not contain sufficient detail to provide this information. But I can assure my hon. Friend that the Department continues to treat abuses such as money circulation schemes and other similar schemes very seriously, and will continue to petition to wind up those which are trading against the public interest.

Leeds University: Research

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much research funding has been allocated to Leeds university in each year since 1997.

David Lammy: The university of Leeds has received the following quality related funding for research allocated by the Higher Education Funding Council for England:
	
		
			  Time series of HEFCE research funding (£ million) for the  u niversity of Leeds for academic years 1997-98 to 2009-10: Prepared by HEFCE Analytical Services Group on 5 January 2010 Figures are in cash terms, and include late grant adjustments 
			   University of Leeds  (£ million) 
			 1997-98 26.99 
			 1998-99 27.42 
			 1999-2000 27.84 
			 2000-01 27.83 
			 2001-02 28.52 
			 2002-03 30.97 
			 2003-04 35.22 
			 2004-05 36.32 
			 2005-06 42.49 
			 2006-07 46.01 
			 2007-10 47.24 
			 2008-09 48.83 
			 2009-10 49.50 
		
	
	Higher Education Statistics Agency data show that the university of Leeds received the following income from Research Councils (2008-09 data are not yet available):
	
		
			  Research Council grants 
			   £ million 
			 1997-98 14.37 
			 1998-99 16.44 
			 1999-2000 18.79 
			 2000-01 21.02 
			 2001-02 24.96 
			 2002-03 24.62 
			 2003-04 23.01 
			 2004-05 25.59 
			 2005-06 27.44 
			 2006-07 31.80 
			 2007-08 39.23

Qualifications: Bexley

David Evennett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many adults in the London borough of Bexley completed a level 3 qualification in the last five years for which figures are available.

Kevin Brennan: Table 1 shows the number of publicly funded adults achieving a Full level 3 qualification in 2004/05 to 2007/08, the latest year for which we have final information and also for 2008/09 which is not directly comparable given it is estimated on a slightly different basis and is also provisional.
	
		
			  Table 1: Publicly funded full level 3 achievements by adults (aged 19+), 2004/05 to 2008/09 in the London  b orough of Bexley 
			  Academic year  Number of achievements 
			 2004/05 250 
			 2005/06 370 
			 2006/07 440 
			 2007/08 500 
			 2008/09(1) (provisional) 700 
			 (1) Figures for 2008/09 are not directly comparable to earlier years as the introduction of demand led funding has changed how data is collected and how funded learners are defined from 2008/09 onwards. More information on demand led funding is available at: http://www.lsc.gov.uk/providers/funding-policy/demand-led-funding.htm  Notes: 1. Volumes are rounded to the nearest ten. 2. Age is based on age as at 31 August of the academic year (academic age). 3. Local authority is based on home postcode of the learner. 4. These data include provision delivered in FE organisations, sixth form colleges, independent training organisations, local authorities and other providers. This includes programmes such as apprenticeships and Train to Gain. Data regarding school sixth forms is not included in this publication.  Source:  Individualised Learner Record.

Sector Skills Councils

David Evennett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what progress has been made on the relicensing of sector skills councils; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: Good progress is being made with the relicensing of sector skills councils. The assessment and relicensing process for sector skills councils formally opened in July 2008 with the launch of the Prospectus, 'Empowering SSCs-Employer driven skills reform across the UK'. By the end of 2009 18 SSCs had successfully met the performance standard. In the case of Skillfast-UK, the SSC for the fashion and textile sector, Government decided to uphold the UK Commission's recommendation not to issue a new license. Instead, the intention is for the coverage of this sector to come within the scope of another SSC. The UK Commission expect to make further recommendations to Government early in 2010 in relation to the remaining SSCs.

Sector Skills Councils: Finance

David Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much funding has been allocated to each sector skills council in each of the last five years.

Kevin Brennan: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills provide grant in aid funding to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills to contract with sector skills councils for work on areas such as national occupational standards and labour market information. The funding provided to each sector skills council by the UK Commission, and its predecessor the Sector Skills Development Agency, in the last five years is given as follows.
	Most sector skills councils also receive other funding from a range of sources, including other Government Departments.
	
		
			  £000 
			  Sector Skills Councils  2008/09  2007/08  2006/07  2005/06  2004/05 
			 Asset Skills 3,624 4,537 2,365 2,131 1,789 
			 Automotive Skills (IMI) 2,875 3,079 1,966 1,690 2,225 
			 Cogent 2,545 2,499 1,938 1,922 2,080 
			 ConstructionSkills 3,801 4,490 2,972 1,908 3,166 
			 Creative and Cultural Skills 2,947 1,782 2,631 2,193 879 
			 Energy and Utility Skills 2,598 3,211 2,415 1,879 1,782 
			 e-skills UK 3,331 5,039 6,774 5,858 5,594 
			 Financial Services Skills Council 3,755 3,199 1,928 2,033 2,079 
			 GoSkills 3,151 2,373 2,280 2,058 1,827 
			 Government Skills 1,737 2,537 1,802 301 49 
			 Improve Ltd. 2,607 2,229 2,688 2,021 2,538 
			 Lantra 3,653 4,413 2,272 1,847 2,569 
			 Lifelong Learning UK 2,511 1,875 1,954 2,163 1,533 
			 People 1st 3,613 2,790 1,781 1,910 2,422 
			 Proskills UK 2,828 2,575 2,376 2,195 307 
			 Semta 3,610 3,614 3,659 2,198 2,937 
			 Skillfast-UK 2,851 3,487 2,295 2,048 2,208 
			 Skills for Care and Development 2,079 1,444 2,035 1,653 569 
			 Skills for Health 2,799 2,993 2,646 2,342 1,809 
			 Skills for Justice 4,253 3,283 1,714 1,878 2,245 
			 Skills for Logistics 2,438 1,940 2,352 2,127 1,519 
			 SkillsActive 3,314 3,626 2,596 2,270 1,876 
			 Skillset 3,665 3,807 4,243 2,199 3,071 
			 Skillsmart Retail 3,013 2,891 2,553 2,151 2,640 
			 SummitSkills 2,127 2,648 1,760 1,608 1,981

Students: Grants

Karen Buck: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many students were in receipt of education maintenance grants in each London local authority area in each of the last 10 years.

Iain Wright: I have been asked to reply.
	This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the education maintenance allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). Geoffrey Russell, the LSC's acting chief executive, will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Libraries.

Train to Gain Programme: Finance

Stephen Williams: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much funding he expects to allocate to Train to Gain in each of the next three years.

Kevin Brennan: Since its introduction in April 2006, 1.4 million qualifications have been undertaken through the Train to Gain programme. In the 2010-11 financial year, planned investment in Train to Gain will be £983 million, an increase of 6.2 per cent. compared with planned investment for the 2009-10 financial year. Our continuing investment in this programme, and in the broader further education and skills sector, for 2010-11 financial year has recently been set out in the Skills Investment Strategy 2010-11 (November 2009). This is available online
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/publications/Skills-Investment-Strategy.pdf
	Investment for the 2011-12 financial year and beyond will not be finalised until the outcomes of the next spending review have been determined.

Training

David Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to paragraph 16 of Skills for Growth, Cm 7641, what estimate he has made of the proportion of the £38 billion spent by employers on skills which is spent on statutory training; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: We do not have a figure for the total spend on statutory training by employers. However, we do know from the National Employer Skills Survey 2007 that only 11 per cent. of employers say that all of their training is in health and safety or induction.
	Government are committed to encourage employers to invest more in training, which is vital for businesses success and for employees. We already provide, for example, advice and support for training through Business Link and the Train to Gain programme. And Skills for Growth, published in November, sets out how we will support employers further: focusing more of the skills budget on growth sectors and the skills that employers tell us are the priorities; responding to immediate and long-term needs; and encouraging employers to invest and use the existing skills of their staff.

Vocational Training

David Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many organisations have signed the Skills Pledge in each month since it was announced.

Kevin Brennan: The Skills Pledge is a voluntary, public commitment by the leadership of a company or organisation to support all its employees to develop their basic skills, including literacy and numeracy, and work towards relevant, valuable qualifications to at least level 2 (equivalent to five good GCSEs).
	The following table indicates the number of organisations who have signed the Skills Pledge in each month since it was launched in 2007:
	
		
			  Month  Total employers( 1) 
			  960 
			 June to December 2007 (2)- 
			 January 2008 280 
			 February 2008 890 
			 March 2008 460 
			 April 2008 500 
			 May 2008 630 
			 June 2008 960 
			 July 2008 1,250 
			 August 2008 890 
			 September 2008 820 
			 October 2008 1,550 
			 November 2008 1,120 
			 December 2008 970 
			 January 2009 1,530 
			 February 2009 1,660 
			 March 2009 1,840 
			 April 2009 730 
			 May 2009 1,030 
			 June 2009 1,010 
			 July 2009 860 
			 August 2009 740 
			 September 2009 1,100 
			 October 2009 930 
			 (1) Figures rounded to the nearest 10. (2) Data not available month by month for this period.  Notes: 1. Table shows the number of employers who have formally signed the Skills Pledge in the month shown. 2. Data sourced from Learning and Skills Council December 2009.

Vocational Training: Finance

David Laws: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what the budget is for  (a) the UK Commission for Employment and Skills and  (b) his Department's expenditure on skills funding to regional development agencies in 2010-11.

Kevin Brennan: The grant in aid arrangements for the UK Commission for Employment and Skills in 2010-11 have still to be finalised, but funding amounted to £89 million in 2009-10.
	The Department is contributing £42 million in total for skills to regional development agencies in 2010-11 as part of their single pot. Its funding for skills brokerage in Train to Gain, which is delivered through Business Link has yet to be finalised, but amounted to £37 million in 2009-10.

Voluntary Work

Philip Davies: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what funding the Learning and Skills Council has provided to promote volunteering in each local authority area in each of the last three years.

Kevin Brennan: The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) did not fund the promotion of volunteering before 2009. Funding is £2 million for 2009-10; and £2 million for 2010-11.
	We do not have funding information broken down by local authority areas.

Work Experience

David Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many firms have claimed their weekly entitlement towards the cost of providing an internship since September 2009.

David Lammy: By March 2010, 20,000 graduate internships overall will have been created in the private, public and third sectors to help young people develop the skills they need to build their employability. There will be different models for these internships. Up to 10,000 of these places will be delivered in partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses, of which at least 5,000 will receive an allowance towards the cost of the internship. That will provide £100 per week towards the wage costs involved and employers will meet the balance.
	These places are being provided through the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the universities. Details of the funding awarded will be published in January and we expect the bulk of the employers to be providing internships and receiving allowances by the end of March.